Jet Beetle vs Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Jet Beetle | Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenus comma | Odontomyia tigrina |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Jet Beetle
A tiny, goggle-eyed rove beetle that hunts with a remarkable extendable labium tipped with adhesive pads. It can also skim across water surfaces using a unique chemical propulsion mechanism.
Did You Know?
Stenus beetles secrete stenusine from pygidial glands, which lowers water surface tension behind them, propelling them across water at speeds up to 70 cm per second.
Soldier Fly
A brightly colored soldier fly with aquatic larvae that filter-feed in ponds.
Did You Know?
Larvae float at the surface and breathe through a rosette of hydrophobic tail hairs.