Birch Catkin Bug vs Flattened Giant Millipede Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Birch Catkin Bug | Flattened Giant Millipede Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kleidocerys resedae | Passalus unicornis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lygaeidae | Passalidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 30-45 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, northern Asia, North America | Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Congo) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Birch Catkin Bug
A small, oval brown seed bug that feeds on birch and alder catkins. It is very common in northern Europe and can form large swarms in autumn. It sometimes enters buildings in large numbers seeking overwintering shelter.
Did You Know?
In autumn, enormous swarms of thousands can descend on buildings near birch trees, alarming homeowners despite the bugs being completely harmless.
Flattened Giant Millipede Beetle
A large, flattened bess beetle with a shiny black body and a small horn on the head. Adults and larvae live together in rotting logs in a subsocial arrangement. Adults produce sounds by rubbing their hindwings against the abdomen.
Did You Know?
Parents feed their larvae pre-chewed wood and communicate with them using stridulatory sounds, one of the few examples of parental care in beetles.