Oil Beetle vs Greenhouse Stone Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oil Beetle | Greenhouse Stone Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Meloe proscarabaeus | Tachycines asynamorus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Size | 15-35 mm | 13-19mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Caves |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Asia, Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Oil Beetle
A large, flightless beetle with shortened elytra and a swollen abdomen. It secretes an oily, blistering compound called cantharidin when threatened.
Did You Know?
Females can lay over 1,000 eggs, but larvae must hitch a ride on a solitary bee to survive.
Greenhouse Stone Cricket
A pale brown cave cricket with enormously long antennae and hind legs. It is wingless with a humped thorax. Originally from East Asia, it now occurs in heated buildings worldwide.
Did You Know?
Its antennae can be three times its body length, helping it navigate in complete darkness.