Wooly Darkling Beetle vs Ornate Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wooly Darkling Beetle | Ornate Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eleodes osculans | Odontomyia ornata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tenebrionidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 20-35 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Wooly Darkling Beetle
A stout black beetle common in southwestern US deserts. It raises its abdomen in a defensive headstand posture when disturbed.
Did You Know?
It sprays a foul-smelling quinone chemical from its rear end, earning it the nickname stink beetle.
Ornate Soldier Fly
A medium-sized soldier fly with a green and black patterned abdomen and a somewhat flattened body. Adults are sluggish fliers often found basking on waterside vegetation.
Did You Know?
Its aquatic larvae have a unique hydrophobic tail fringe that acts as a breathing snorkel at the water surface.