Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle vs Bearded Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle | Bearded Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Castiarina octospilota | Machimus atricapillus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Buprestidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 8-13 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle
A compact jewel beetle with eight distinctive pale spots arranged on dark metallic elytra. It is an active flower visitor in spring and summer.
Did You Know?
Despite its small size, each spot on its wing covers is perfectly symmetrical between left and right sides.
Bearded Robber Fly
A common European robber fly with a prominent mystax (facial beard) of bristles that protect its face during prey capture. It hunts from perches on bare ground and low vegetation.
Did You Know?
Its dense facial beard of stiff bristles acts as a protective cage, shielding its eyes from the thrashing legs of captured prey.