Round Sand Beetle vs Japanese Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Round Sand Beetle Japanese Robber Fly
Scientific Name Omophron limbatum Cophinopoda chinensis
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Carabidae Asilidae
Size 5-7 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, North Africa, western Asia East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Round Sand Beetle

A highly distinctive, nearly circular ground beetle with a domed shape and striking pattern of pale yellow with dark green bands. It burrows in wet sand near water.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly spherical body shape is unique among ground beetles and allows it to burrow rapidly into wet sand to escape predators or floods.

Japanese Robber Fly

A large East Asian robber fly with powerful raptorial legs. It preys on cicadas and large beetles in montane forests.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few flies capable of overpowering and killing adult cicadas.