Scentless Plant Bug vs Narrow-necked Ant Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scentless Plant Bug Narrow-necked Ant Beetle
Scientific Name Jadera haematoloma Dinarda dentata
Order Hemiptera Coleoptera
Family Rhopalidae Staphylinidae
Size 10-14 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Seed Feeders Gall Makers
Regions Southern United States, Central America, South America Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scentless Plant Bug

A red-eyed black and red bug that forms enormous aggregations on golden rain trees and other soapberry family plants. Despite its common name, it belongs to the scentless plant bug family. It is completely harmless to humans and structures.

💡

Did You Know?

Populations feeding on different host plants have evolved different beak lengths matched to seed size, providing a textbook example of rapid natural selection.

Narrow-necked Ant Beetle

A flattened, reddish-brown aleocharine rove beetle that inhabits Formica ant nests as a tolerated guest. Its flattened body allows it to move easily through narrow ant nest galleries.

💡

Did You Know?

If attacked by an ant, this beetle raises its abdomen to present its appeasement glands, releasing chemicals that calm the aggressor.