Rugose Christmas Beetle vs Ant Nest Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rugose Christmas Beetle | Ant Nest Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anoplognathus rugosus | Paussus favieri |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 5-8mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Australia | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Rugose Christmas Beetle
A robust dark brown scarab with distinctly wrinkled elytra found in southeastern Australia. Adults are attracted to lights during warm summer evenings.
Did You Know?
Their numbers have declined significantly in Sydney since the 1990s due to habitat loss.
Ant Nest Beetle
A bizarre reddish-brown beetle with swollen club-shaped antennae that lives inside ant nests. It mimics ant chemical signals to avoid detection.
Did You Know?
It secretes chemicals from its antennae that drug the ants into a stupor allowing it to freely eat their brood.