Chinese Water Penny Beetle vs Discothyrea Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Water Penny Beetle Discothyrea Ant
Scientific Name Eubrianax pellucidus Discothyrea testacea
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Psephenidae Formicidae
Size 4-6 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions China Southern Europe, North Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Chinese Water Penny Beetle

A water penny beetle found in southern China whose translucent larval margins allow gas exchange with the water. Adults live only a few days.

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Did You Know?

The translucent edges of its larval body act as gill-like structures for underwater respiration.

Discothyrea Ant

An extremely small and rarely seen ant with only a single-segmented antennal club, unique among ants. It nests deep in soil and rotting wood across southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its single-segment antennal club is found in no other ant genus, making it instantly recognizable to myrmecologists.