Black Sexton Beetle vs Chinese Rose Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sexton Beetle Chinese Rose Beetle
Scientific Name Necrophorus vespilloides Adoretus sinicus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Silphidae Scarabaeidae
Size 12-18 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia East Asia, Hawaii, Pacific Islands
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Black Sexton Beetle

A remarkable burying beetle that locates small animal carcasses using acute sense of smell. Pairs work together to bury the carcass as food for their larvae. Shows sophisticated biparental care.

💡

Did You Know?

Both parents feed their larvae mouth-to-mouth with pre-digested carrion, like birds feeding chicks.

Chinese Rose Beetle

A small nocturnal scarab that is a major agricultural pest in Hawaii. It skeletonizes the leaves of over 250 host plant species.

💡

Did You Know?

It was accidentally introduced to Hawaii around 1891 and has since become one of the islands' most destructive beetle pests.