Ant-Nest Rove Beetle vs Eastern Forest Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-Nest Rove Beetle Eastern Forest Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Atemeles emarginatus Onthophagus hecate
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 5-7 mm 5-9 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Dung Feeders
Regions Central Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ant-Nest Rove Beetle

A small, amber-brown rove beetle that parasitizes two different ant species during its life cycle. Larvae develop in Formica nests and adults move to Myrmica nests.

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Did You Know?

It switches host ant species seasonally, overwintering with Myrmica ants and breeding in Formica nests in summer.

Eastern Forest Dung Beetle

A small, dark brown to black tunneling dung beetle common in eastern North American forests. Males have a short median horn. It is the most frequently encountered native dung beetle in woodland habitats of the eastern United States.

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Did You Know?

This is the most commonly collected native dung beetle in eastern North American forests.