Latrine Fly vs Golden Ant Guest Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Latrine Fly Golden Ant Guest Beetle
Scientific Name Fannia scalaris Pella funesta
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Fanniidae Staphylinidae
Size 5-7 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Scavengers Scavengers
Regions Worldwide Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Latrine Fly

A small fly that breeds in excrement and decaying organic matter in latrines and drains. It can cause urogenital myiasis when larvae enter the urinary tract.

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Did You Know?

Its flattened, spiny larvae are among the few fly species documented to cause urinary myiasis in humans.

Golden Ant Guest Beetle

A small aleocharine rove beetle that lives at the periphery of Lasius ant nests, feeding on refuse and dead ants. It uses chemical mimicry to avoid aggression from its host ants.

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Did You Know?

When detected by an ant, this beetle deploys a tergal gland secretion that causes the ant to briefly freeze, allowing the beetle to escape.