Round-bodied Scydmaenine vs Malagasy Walking Stick

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Round-bodied Scydmaenine Malagasy Walking Stick
Scientific Name Scydmaenus tarsatus Achrioptera impennis
Order Coleoptera Phasmatodea
Family Staphylinidae Achriopteridae
Size 1-2 mm 140-210 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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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.

Malagasy Walking Stick

A large, wingless stick insect with a robust green body covered in small tubercles and spiny projections. Females can reach over 20 cm in length.

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Did You Know?

Its species name 'impennis' means wingless, distinguishing it from relatives that have retained at least vestigial wing buds.