Frigate Island Giant Tenebrionid Beetle vs Carpenter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Frigate Island Giant Tenebrionid Beetle Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name Polposipus herculeanus Xylocopa violacea
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Apidae
Size 2-3.5 cm 20-28 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Seychelles Europe, Asia
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Frigate Island Giant Tenebrionid Beetle

A large flightless darkling beetle endemic to Frigate Island in the Seychelles. It shelters under bark and in dead wood during the day.

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Did You Know?

Its entire wild population is restricted to a single island less than 2 square kilometers in size.

Carpenter Bee

A large, robust bee with an entirely black body showing violet-blue iridescent wings. It excavates nest tunnels in dead wood and is an important pollinator of open-faced flowers.

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Did You Know?

Despite their intimidating size and loud buzz, male carpenter bees are completely harmless as they lack a stinger and merely bluff when defending their territory.