Black Sexton Beetle vs Giant African Click Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sexton Beetle Giant African Click Beetle
Scientific Name Necrophorus vespilloides Tetralobus flabellicornis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Silphidae Elateridae
Size 12-18 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Carrion Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia East Africa, Southern Africa
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.

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Did You Know?

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

Giant African Click Beetle

Africa's largest click beetle, with impressive fan-shaped antennae in males. It can launch itself into the air with an audible click when placed on its back.

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Did You Know?

It can catapult itself up to 30 cm into the air using a spring-loaded peg on its thorax.