Blue Death-feigning Beetle vs Spotted-Winged Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Death-feigning Beetle | Spotted-Winged Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asbolus verrucosus | Dendroleon pantherinus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Tenebrionidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 18-21mm | 35-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Spotted-Winged Antlion
A large antlion with distinctive spotted wings found in old-growth forests. Its larvae hide in tree-hole detritus rather than building sand pits.
Did You Know?
This antlion is unusual because its larvae ambush prey in tree hollows rather than digging pits in sand.