Ant-Nest Rove Beetle vs Pennsylvania Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-Nest Rove Beetle Pennsylvania Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Atemeles emarginatus Harpalus pensylvanicus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Carabidae
Size 5-7 mm 13-17 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central Europe 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.

Pennsylvania Ground Beetle

One of the most common ground beetles in North American croplands. It is an omnivorous species that feeds on both seeds and small insects.

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Did You Know?

Studies show it can consume enough weed seeds to significantly reduce weed emergence in crop fields.