Common Aleocharine vs Dark Kissing Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Aleocharine | Dark Kissing Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atheta coriaria | Panstrongylus megistus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Reduviidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 26-34 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Holarctic, now distributed globally through commercial biocontrol | Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Aleocharine
A tiny, dark brown aleocharine rove beetle now commercially sold as a biological control agent. It is an aggressive predator of fungus gnat larvae, thrips, and shore fly larvae in greenhouses.
Did You Know?
This beetle is sold commercially by biocontrol companies and released by the thousands in greenhouses to control fungus gnats organically.
Dark Kissing Bug
A large triatomine bug and important Chagas disease vector in Brazil. It has adapted to live in both sylvatic and domestic environments.
Did You Know?
It was the triatomine species Carlos Chagas used when he first discovered the disease that bears his name.