Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) vs Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) | Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosophila heteroneura | Castiarina aureola |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Drosophilidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Heathland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura)
A remarkable Hawaiian picture-wing fly famous for its hammer-shaped head, found only on Hawaii Island. Males use their broad, flattened heads in head-butting contests for mating rights. It breeds in decaying Clermontia bark.
Did You Know?
Males have uniquely hammer-shaped heads that they use as battering rams, headbutting rival males in combat over territory and mates.
Jewel Beetle (Golden Castiarina)
A dazzlingly coloured jewel beetle endemic to Australia, with a golden-yellow body adorned with dark markings. Australia's Castiarina genus is the most species-rich jewel beetle genus in the world.
Did You Know?
There are over 500 described species of Castiarina, making it one of the most diverse beetle genera on Earth.