Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle vs Brown Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle Brown Chafer
Scientific Name Akis spinosa Serica brunnea
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Scarabaeidae
Size 18-25 mm 8-11 mm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Herbivores Root Feeders
Regions Malta, Mediterranean Islands Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle

A spiny darkling beetle found on Malta and other Mediterranean islands. It has prominent ridges and spines along its elytra.

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Did You Know?

Its spiny armor and habit of playing dead make it unappealing to most predators.

Brown Chafer

A small chestnut-brown beetle with a velvety sheen to its elytra. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights on warm summer nights.

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Did You Know?

Its velvety appearance is caused by tiny, densely packed hairs covering the entire body surface.