Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp vs Black Carrion Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp | Black Carrion Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parnopes grandior | Necrodes littoralis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Silphidae |
| Size | 8-13 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Parasites | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Europe, Central Asia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp
A large and robust cuckoo wasp with a metallic green thorax and brilliant red abdomen. It exclusively parasitizes beewolf wasps in sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
It is entirely dependent on beewolf wasps for reproduction, so its populations decline wherever beewolves disappear.
Black Carrion Beetle
A large, dark carrion beetle with ridged elytra and a distinctive lumpy thorax. It is associated with larger carcasses where it breeds in masses.
Did You Know?
Despite its name 'littoralis' meaning 'of the shore', it is found throughout inland areas as well as coasts.