Golden Ant Guest Beetle vs Golden Tortoise Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden Ant Guest Beetle | Golden Tortoise Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pella funesta | Charidotella sexpunctata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Scavengers | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Golden Ant Guest Beetle
A small aleocharine rove beetle that lives at the periphery of Lasius ant nests, feeding on refuse and dead ants. It uses chemical mimicry to avoid aggression from its host ants.
Did You Know?
When detected by an ant, this beetle deploys a tergal gland secretion that causes the ant to briefly freeze, allowing the beetle to escape.
Golden Tortoise Beetle
Looks like a tiny golden jewel. Can change color from gold to reddish-brown by controlling moisture in microscopic layers of its shell. Color changes with stress or mating.
Did You Know?
The golden tortoise beetle can change color from brilliant gold to dull red in minutes by controlling fluid in nanoscale layers of its shell — like a living mood ring.