West African Tiger Beetle vs Tumbling Flower Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | West African Tiger Beetle | Tumbling Flower Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacephala megacephala | Mordella aculeata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cicindelidae | Mordellidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 3-6 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | West Africa (Senegal, Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana) | Europe, North America |
| 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.
Tumbling Flower Beetle
A small, humpbacked beetle that tumbles erratically when disturbed. Adults are commonly found on flowers where they feed on pollen.
Did You Know?
Their pointed abdomen extends beyond the elytra, giving them a distinctive wedge shape.