Black Sexton Beetle vs Large Marsh Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Sexton Beetle Large Marsh Grasshopper
Scientific Name Necrophorus vespilloides Stethophyma grossum
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Silphidae Acrididae
Size 12-18 mm 20-36 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Carrion Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Sexton Beetle

A remarkable burying beetle that locates small animal carcasses using acute sense of smell. Pairs work together to bury the carcass as food for their larvae. Shows sophisticated biparental care.

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Did You Know?

Both parents feed their larvae mouth-to-mouth with pre-digested carrion, like birds feeding chicks.

Large Marsh Grasshopper

Europe's largest grasshopper, with bold red, yellow, and green colouring and bright red hindleg tibiae. It requires very wet, boggy habitats and makes a distinctive flicking song.

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Did You Know?

Its unique flick-song is produced by the grasshopper snapping its hindleg against its wing in a single crack.