Heart and Dart vs Metallic Hister Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Heart and Dart Metallic Hister Beetle
Scientific Name Agrotis exclamationis Saprinus semistriatus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Noctuidae Histeridae
Size 32-40 mm wingspan 3-5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Root Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Heart and Dart

An extremely common brown moth named for the heart and dart-shaped markings on its forewing. It is often the most abundant species in light traps across Europe.

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Did You Know?

A single light trap can capture over a thousand individuals in one night during peak emergence.

Metallic Hister Beetle

A small beetle with a metallic blue-green sheen found on carrion and sun-dried carcasses. It is frequently used in forensic entomology studies.

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Did You Know?

Its predictable arrival timeline on corpses makes it a valuable indicator for forensic investigators estimating time since death.