Giant African Click Beetle vs Blue-winged Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant African Click Beetle Blue-winged Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Tetralobus flabellicornis Platydracus chalcocephalus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Elateridae Staphylinidae
Size 40-60 mm 12-17 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Root Feeders Predators
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant African Click Beetle

Africa's largest click beetle, with impressive fan-shaped antennae in males. It can launch itself into the air with an audible click when placed on its back.

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Did You Know?

It can catapult itself up to 30 cm into the air using a spring-loaded peg on its thorax.

Blue-winged Rove Beetle

A handsome rove beetle with a metallic blue-green head and pronotum contrasting with brown elytra. It is found in wooded areas and is a capable flier attracted to lights at night.

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Did You Know?

The metallic coloration of its head is produced by nanostructures in the cuticle that interfere with light, similar to how a soap bubble creates colors.