European Antlion vs Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Antlion Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle
Scientific Name Euroleon nostras Mordellistena pumila
Order Neuroptera Coleoptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Mordellidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 2-3.5 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Antlion

A large neuropteran whose larvae build conical sand pits to trap ants and other small insects. Adults resemble damselflies but are weaker fliers.

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Did You Know?

Antlion larvae can survive for months without food while waiting at the bottom of their sand traps.

Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle

A tiny tumbling flower beetle found on composite flowers in summer. Larvae develop in plant stems. One of the smallest and most frequently encountered mordellid species.

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Did You Know?

So small that it can hide inside individual florets of composite flower heads.