European Xiphydriid vs Woodland Dor Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Xiphydriid Woodland Dor Beetle
Scientific Name Xiphydria longicollis Anoplotrupes stercorosus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Xiphydriidae Geotrupidae
Size 12-18 mm 12-19 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Xiphydriid

A slender wood wasp with a notably elongated pronotum giving it a long-necked appearance. The body is dark with pale lateral spots on the abdomen.

💡

Did You Know?

The elongated 'neck' that gives xiphydriids their distinctive appearance is actually an elongation of the pronotum, unique among wood wasps.

Woodland Dor Beetle

A medium-sized, convex dung beetle with a steel-blue or black dorsal surface and metallic blue-violet underside. Common in European woodlands where it buries deer and fox dung. Often heard buzzing loudly in flight.

💡

Did You Know?

This beetle is often parasitized by phoretic mites that hitch rides to new dung sources.