Black Sexton Beetle vs Currant Clearwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Sexton Beetle | Currant Clearwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Necrophorus vespilloides | Synanthedon tipuliformis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Sesiidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 17-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, temperate Asia (introduced worldwide) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Currant Clearwing
A small wasp-mimicking moth with transparent wings and a black body banded with yellow. Its larvae bore into the stems of currant and gooseberry bushes.
Did You Know?
Its wasp mimicry is so convincing that gardeners who encounter it rarely realise they are looking at a moth.