Smooth Hister Beetle vs Lesser House Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Smooth Hister Beetle | Lesser House Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Margarinotus striola | Fannia canicularis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Histeridae | Fanniidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Indoors |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Scavengers |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Smooth Hister Beetle
A compact, highly polished black beetle with fine elytral striations. It is one of the most common dung-dwelling hister beetles in Europe.
Did You Know?
Its almost mirror-like surface is so smooth that dung and debris slide off its body, keeping it permanently clean.
Lesser House Fly
A small greyish fly often seen flying in circles beneath ceiling lights indoors. It breeds in decaying organic matter and is a secondary forensic indicator.
Did You Know?
Males are well known for hovering in a fixed triangular flight pattern beneath indoor light fixtures.