Golden-belted Tachinid vs Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden-belted Tachinid | Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ectophasia crassipennis | Akis spinosa |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Malta, Mediterranean Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Golden-belted Tachinid
A colorful parasitic fly with golden-yellow markings and dark wing patches. Parasitizes shieldbugs and stink bugs. Often seen on umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
The conspicuous wing markings may be involved in mating displays among the otherwise cryptic tachinid flies.
Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle
A spiny darkling beetle found on Malta and other Mediterranean islands. It has prominent ridges and spines along its elytra.
Did You Know?
Its spiny armor and habit of playing dead make it unappealing to most predators.