Four-Spotted Carrion Beetle vs Emperor Gum Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Four-Spotted Carrion Beetle | Emperor Gum Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dendroxena quadrimaculata | Opodiphthera eucalypti |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 100-150 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Four-Spotted Carrion Beetle
A yellowish-brown beetle with four dark spots on its elytra, unusual for a silphid because it hunts in trees rather than on the ground. It climbs trunks searching for caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It is one of the only carrion beetles that has abandoned carrion feeding entirely, becoming an arboreal caterpillar predator.
Emperor Gum Moth
A large and attractive native moth with prominent eyespots on each wing that serve as a startle defence against predators. It is one of the largest moths in southern Australia.
Did You Know?
The large eyespots on its wings are thought to mimic the eyes of an owl, frightening away potential bird predators.