Eastern Bombardier Beetle vs Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Bombardier Beetle Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena
Scientific Name Brachinus explodens Hegeter politus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Tenebrionidae
Size 5-8 mm 1.5-2.5 cm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean St. Helena
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Eastern Bombardier Beetle

A bombardier beetle widespread across central and eastern Europe. It hunts small soil invertebrates at night.

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Did You Know?

Its defensive spray is produced by mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide in a specialized reaction chamber.

Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena

A darkling beetle endemic to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It is nocturnal and hides under stones during the day.

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Did You Know?

St. Helena has over 400 endemic invertebrate species, many of which are found nowhere else.