Common Snakefly vs Asian Giant Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Snakefly | Asian Giant Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Raphidia notata | Platydracus sharpi |
| Order | Raphidioptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Raphidiidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Mountains |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Japan, Korea, Eastern China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Snakefly
A distinctive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax that gives it a snake-like appearance. It hunts aphids and other small insects on tree bark.
Did You Know?
Snakeflies can raise their elongated thorax and strike at prey in a manner reminiscent of a snake, hence their name.
Asian Giant Rove Beetle
A large, striking rove beetle from East Asia with metallic blue-green coloration and golden pubescence. It is one of the most impressive staphylinids in the Japanese beetle fauna.
Did You Know?
In Japan, this beetle is called 'ao-bane-hanekakushi' (blue-winged hidden-wing beetle) and is one of the few staphylinids recognized by non-entomologists.