European Hangingfly vs Tumblebug Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Hangingfly | Tumblebug Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacus italicus | Canthon vigilans |
| Order | Mecoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Bittacidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Hangingfly
A delicate predatory insect with long legs that hangs from grass stems and snatches prey with its prehensile hind tarsi. Found in Mediterranean grasslands.
Did You Know?
The prehensile hind tarsi of hangingflies can close like a jackknife, trapping prey in a fraction of a second.
Tumblebug Beetle
A small dung beetle that buries carrion as well as dung for its larvae.
Did You Know?
Unlike most dung beetles it frequently uses dead invertebrates as larval food.