Stilt-legged Fly vs Amazonian Giant Centipede-Mimicking Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Stilt-legged Fly Amazonian Giant Centipede-Mimicking Beetle
Scientific Name Rainieria antennaepes Phileurus didymus
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Micropezidae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-12 mm 30-50 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Parasitoids Wood Feeders
Regions North America South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Stilt-legged Fly

A slender fly with banded legs that it waves to mimic parasitoid wasp antennae.

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Did You Know?

It waves its front legs continuously to resemble an ichneumon wasp walking on four legs.

Amazonian Giant Centipede-Mimicking Beetle

A robust dark brown rhinoceros beetle with two horn-like projections on its head. It breeds in decaying palm trunks and stumps. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. Despite its intimidating appearance, it is harmless to humans.

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Did You Know?

Its paired head horns are shorter in proportion to the body than most rhinoceros beetles, suggesting they are used more for digging than for combat.