Round-bodied Scydmaenine vs African Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Round-bodied Scydmaenine | African Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scydmaenus tarsatus | Cybister tripunctatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Round-bodied Scydmaenine
A minute, convex rove beetle of the subfamily Scydmaeninae with a distinctively constricted waist between thorax and abdomen. It is a specialized predator of armored mites in forest soil.
Did You Know?
This tiny beetle has evolved specialized mandibles that can crack open the heavily armored shells of oribatid mites, prey that most other predators cannot exploit.
African Diving Beetle
A large diving beetle widespread across Africa and southern Asia. It is one of the most common large aquatic beetles in tropical fresh waters.
Did You Know?
In parts of Southeast Asia it is collected and eaten as a crunchy protein-rich snack.