African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle vs European Oil Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle European Oil Bee
Scientific Name Dorylomimus kohli Macropis europaea
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Melittidae
Size 4-6 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Central Africa, West Africa Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Near Threatened

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.

European Oil Bee

One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oils from yellow loosestrife flowers.

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Did You Know?

It mixes collected floral oil with pollen to create a waterproof, long-lasting larval food that resists mold in its damp underground nests.