Red Flour Beetle vs Common Sun Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Flour Beetle Common Sun Beetle
Scientific Name Tribolium castaneum Elaphrus cupreus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Carabidae
Size 3-4 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Gardens Ponds & Lakes
Diet Seed Feeders Predators
Regions Worldwide Europe, northern Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Red Flour Beetle

A small, reddish-brown beetle that is one of the most important stored-grain pests worldwide. It is also a key model organism in genetics.

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Did You Know?

It was the first beetle to have its entire genome sequenced, advancing insect genomics.

Common Sun Beetle

A small, brilliantly metallic copper-green beetle with distinctive eye-like pits on its elytra. It runs rapidly on wet mud and is a visual hunter of springtails.

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Did You Know?

The peculiar mirror-like pits on its elytra are thought to function as light-reflecting structures that may confuse predators or aid in thermoregulation.