Smooth Hister Beetle vs Petaltail Dragonfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Smooth Hister Beetle | Petaltail Dragonfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Margarinotus striola | Tachopteryx thoreyi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Histeridae | Petaluridae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 70-80 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Indoors |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | North America |
| 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.
Petaltail Dragonfly
A primitive dragonfly that perches on tree trunks and has bog-dwelling larvae.
Did You Know?
It belongs to one of the most ancient dragonfly families, largely unchanged for 150 million years.