African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle vs Budding Purpuricenus

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle Budding Purpuricenus
Scientific Name Dorylomimus kohli Purpuricenus budensis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Cerambycidae
Size 4-6 mm 13-20 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions Central Africa, West Africa Southeast Europe, Turkey, Iran, Caucasus
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

A rove beetle that lives with army ant colonies in tropical Africa, mimicking the ants in body shape. It travels with the nomadic ant colony during emigrations.

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Did You Know?

Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ants that it was initially described as an ant rather than a beetle.

Budding Purpuricenus

A colorful cerambycid with a red pronotum adorned with two black spots and entirely black elytra. It is found in thermophilous oak forests from Hungary to Iran. Larvae take two years to develop in dead oak branches.

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Did You Know?

The species name budensis refers to Budapest, where it was first described in the 19th century.