Bladetail vs Dark Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bladetail Dark Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Lindenia tetraphylla Tachyporus nitidulus
Order Odonata Coleoptera
Family Gomphidae Staphylinidae
Size 55-65 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Europe, Siberia
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Bladetail

A large gomphid dragonfly with leaf-shaped abdominal expansions at the tail.

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Did You Know?

It has declined dramatically due to loss of large natural lakes in the Mediterranean.

Dark Rove Beetle

A small, shiny dark brown rove beetle with a characteristic boat-shaped body. It is incredibly numerous in northern European farmland, where it is considered a key beneficial predator.

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Did You Know?

Pitfall trap studies have shown this to be one of the three most abundant beetle species in British agricultural landscapes.