Blue Death-feigning Beetle vs Common Moth Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Death-feigning Beetle | Common Moth Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asbolus verrucosus | Psychoda alternata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tenebrionidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 18-21mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Cosmopolitan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Death-feigning Beetle
A rounded blue-grey desert beetle covered in a waxy powder-blue coating. When threatened it flips onto its back and plays dead with legs extended stiffly.
Did You Know?
Its death-feigning behavior is so convincing that predators lose interest and the beetle can remain motionless for hours.
Common Moth Fly
A tiny grayish moth fly with broad, hairy wings giving it a distinctly moth-like appearance. Its wings are held flat over the body at rest, and it runs in short hops when disturbed.
Did You Know?
Moth flies are important components of sewage treatment trickling filter beds where their larvae help break down waste.