West African Tiger Beetle vs Striped Deer Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | West African Tiger Beetle | Striped Deer Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacephala megacephala | Chrysops vittatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cicindelidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | West Africa (Senegal, Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana) | Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
West African Tiger Beetle
A large, nocturnal tiger beetle with a broad head and powerful mandibles. The body is dark brown to black with subtle metallic reflections. It is a fast runner that hunts other insects on sandy ground at night.
Did You Know?
Tiger beetles are among the fastest running insects, capable of sprinting so fast they temporarily go blind and must stop to re-orient.
Striped Deer Fly
A small deer fly with distinctive dark bands across its wings and bright green and gold patterned eyes. Females are persistent biters that circle the head and shoulders of hosts.
Did You Know?
Its compound eyes display iridescent green and gold zigzag patterns that fade to dull gray shortly after the fly dies.