North African Bombardier Beetle vs African Jewel Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute North African Bombardier Beetle African Jewel Beetle
Scientific Name Brachinus humeralis Sternocera orissa
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Carabidae Buprestidae
Size 8-12 mm 30-50 mm
Habitat Heathland Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions North Africa, Southern Europe East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

North African Bombardier Beetle

A bombardier beetle found in North Africa and the Mediterranean basin. It has a reddish-brown head and thorax with dark blue-black elytra.

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Did You Know?

Like other bombardier beetles it can fire its chemical spray in rapid pulses of up to 500 times per second.

African Jewel Beetle

A large metallic green and gold jewel beetle with textured elytra. Adults are found on acacia and other savanna trees.

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Did You Know?

Their wing cases have been used for centuries in traditional African and Asian jewelry and textile decoration.