Oil Beetle vs Legionary Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Oil Beetle | Legionary Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Meloe proscarabaeus | Neivamyrmex nigrescens |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 15-35 mm | 2-5 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| 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.
Legionary Ant
The most common army ant species in the United States, conducting nocturnal column raids on other ant nests. Workers are small and reddish-brown with reduced eyes.
Did You Know?
They are rarely seen because they raid almost exclusively at night and spend most of their time underground.