Common Anchomenus vs Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Anchomenus | Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anchomenus dorsalis | Akis spinosa |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia, North Africa | Malta, Mediterranean Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Common Anchomenus
A small, elegant ground beetle with metallic green elytra, a reddish-brown head, and pale legs. It is one of the most effective aphid predators in European cereal crops.
Did You Know?
Video studies have revealed it can consume an aphid in under 30 seconds and may eat more than 100 aphids per day during peak pest outbreaks in wheat fields.
Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle
A spiny darkling beetle found on Malta and other Mediterranean islands. It has prominent ridges and spines along its elytra.
Did You Know?
Its spiny armor and habit of playing dead make it unappealing to most predators.