Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle vs Queen of Spain Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle Queen of Spain Fritillary
Scientific Name Mordellistena pumila Issoria lathonia
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Mordellidae Nymphalidae
Size 2-3.5 mm 38-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, Africa, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spotted Tumbling Flower Beetle

A tiny tumbling flower beetle found on composite flowers in summer. Larvae develop in plant stems. One of the smallest and most frequently encountered mordellid species.

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Did You Know?

So small that it can hide inside individual florets of composite flower heads.

Queen of Spain Fritillary

A powerful-flying fritillary with large, brilliant silver spots covering the underside of its hindwings. It is a restless migrant that can appear far outside its usual range.

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Did You Know?

Its massive silver underwing spots are thought to startle predators by flashing in flight like mirrors.