Tumbling Flower Beetle vs European Fire Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tumbling Flower Beetle European Fire Ant
Scientific Name Mordella aculeata Myrmica rubra
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Mordellidae Formicidae
Size 3-6 mm 4-5 mm
Habitat Meadows Meadows
Diet Pollen Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Europe, Northeastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tumbling Flower Beetle

A small, humpbacked beetle that tumbles erratically when disturbed. Adults are commonly found on flowers where they feed on pollen.

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Did You Know?

Their pointed abdomen extends beyond the elytra, giving them a distinctive wedge shape.

European Fire Ant

A small reddish ant capable of delivering a noticeable sting, common across European meadows. It has recently invaded parts of northeastern North America where it forms dense populations.

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Did You Know?

It is the primary host ant for the endangered large blue butterfly, whose larvae mimic ant grubs to infiltrate colonies.