North African Bombardier Beetle vs Smooth Hister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North African Bombardier Beetle | Smooth Hister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachinus humeralis | Margarinotus striola |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Indoors |
| Diet | Omnivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | North Africa, Southern Europe | Europe, North Africa |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Like other bombardier beetles it can fire its chemical spray in rapid pulses of up to 500 times per second.
Smooth Hister Beetle
A compact, highly polished black beetle with fine elytral striations. It is one of the most common dung-dwelling hister beetles in Europe.
Did You Know?
Its almost mirror-like surface is so smooth that dung and debris slide off its body, keeping it permanently clean.