Black Sexton Beetle vs Red-Brown Click Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Black Sexton Beetle	Red-Brown Click Beetle
Scientific Name	Necrophorus vespilloides	Ampedus sanguineus
Order	Coleoptera	Coleoptera
Family	Silphidae	Elateridae
Size	12-18 mm	11-16 mm
Habitat	Underground	Woodlands
Diet	Carrion Feeders	Wood Feeders
Regions	Europe, Asia	Europe, Northern Asia
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.

Red-Brown Click Beetle

A handsome click beetle with vivid red elytra and a black head and thorax. Larvae develop in rotting conifer wood.

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Did You Know?

Despite its blood-red colour, it is harmless—the coloration is thought to mimic toxic beetles to deter predators.