Sexton Beetle vs Small Poplar Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sexton Beetle | Small Poplar Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nicrophorus vespilloides | Saperda populnea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Silphidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 9-15 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, Siberia, Japan, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sexton Beetle
A black and orange carrion beetle that buries small animal carcasses as food for its larvae. Both parents care for the brood.
Did You Know?
Parents feed their larvae by regurgitating pre-digested carrion, similar to bird feeding behavior.
Small Poplar Borer
A smaller relative of S. carcharias with yellowish-green pubescence and a row of spots along the elytral suture. It attacks young aspens and poplars, causing characteristic gall-like swellings on branches. Widely distributed across the Holarctic region.
Did You Know?
The gall-like swellings caused by larvae are sometimes mistaken for plant galls caused by wasps or mites.