Common Alderfly vs Sand-Loving Hister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Alderfly | Sand-Loving Hister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sialis lutaria | Hypocaccus rugifrons |
| Order | Megaloptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Sialidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, Mediterranean coasts |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Alderfly
A dark smoky-winged insect commonly found near still or slow-moving waters across Europe. Its aquatic larvae are predators in lake and pond sediments.
Did You Know?
Alderfly females lay hundreds of eggs in neat rows on vegetation overhanging water, and the larvae drop into the water upon hatching.
Sand-Loving Hister Beetle
A small, reddish-brown hister beetle found in sandy coastal habitats. It hunts fly larvae in seaweed wrack and stranded carrion.
Did You Know?
It buries itself in sand beneath rotting kelp during the day and emerges at night to hunt fly larvae in the wrack.