Blue-winged Rove Beetle vs Long-Palped Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue-winged Rove Beetle Long-Palped Crane Fly
Scientific Name Platydracus chalcocephalus Dicranota bimaculata
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Staphylinidae Pediciidae
Size 12-17 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Grasslands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Eastern North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Blue-winged Rove Beetle

A handsome rove beetle with a metallic blue-green head and pronotum contrasting with brown elytra. It is found in wooded areas and is a capable flier attracted to lights at night.

💡

Did You Know?

The metallic coloration of its head is produced by nanostructures in the cuticle that interfere with light, similar to how a soap bubble creates colors.

Long-Palped Crane Fly

A short-bodied crane fly whose predatory larvae inhabit gravel beds of clean streams. Larvae are active hunters among cobble interstices.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike most crane fly larvae, this species is an active predator rather than a detritivore.