Jet Beetle vs Western Dobsonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Jet Beetle | Western Dobsonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenus comma | Neohermes californicus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Megaloptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Corydalidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 50-70 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Mountains |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Western North America |
| 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.
Western Dobsonfly
A large dobsonfly of western North American streams, smaller than its eastern relative. Larvae are top predators under rocks in cool mountain streams.
Did You Know?
Unlike eastern dobsonflies, males of this species lack the enlarged mandibles.