Privet Thrips vs Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Privet Thrips Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle
Scientific Name Dendrothrips ornatus Akis spinosa
Order Thysanoptera Coleoptera
Family Thripidae Tenebrionidae
Size 0.8-1.2 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, North America Malta, Mediterranean Islands
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Privet Thrips

A small pale thrips that feeds on privet hedges causing silvery leaf damage. It has an unusual jumping ability for a thrips.

💡

Did You Know?

Privet thrips can leap several centimeters using a rapid flick of their abdomen, unusual among thrips.

Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle

A spiny darkling beetle found on Malta and other Mediterranean islands. It has prominent ridges and spines along its elytra.

💡

Did You Know?

Its spiny armor and habit of playing dead make it unappealing to most predators.