Colorado Soldier Beetle vs Dark-stigma Snakefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Colorado Soldier Beetle | Dark-stigma Snakefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chauliognathus basalis | Phaeostigma notata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Raphidioptera |
| Family | Cantharidae | Raphidiidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 12-15 mm body |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Colorado Soldier Beetle
A soft-bodied beetle with orange and brown elytra commonly found on flowers. It is an important pollinator and predator of small insects.
Did You Know?
Soldier beetles produce toxic compounds called cantharidins in their blood that make them unpalatable to predators.
Dark-stigma Snakefly
A primitive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax giving it a snake-like neck. Found on tree trunks in woodland. Both adults and larvae prey on small insects.
Did You Know?
Snakeflies are living fossils with a body plan virtually unchanged for over 140 million years.