Rugose Carrion Beetle vs European Spruce Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rugose Carrion Beetle | European Spruce Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thanatophilus rugosus | Gilpinia hercyniae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia, North America | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rugose Carrion Beetle
A small, dark silphid with heavily textured, rugose wing cases. It frequents sun-exposed carrion in open landscapes.
Did You Know?
Females lay eggs on carcasses already infested with fly larvae, and their own larvae then feed on the maggots.
European Spruce Sawfly
A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.
Did You Know?
After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.