Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle vs Large Tropical Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle Large Tropical Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Dytiscus latissimus Hesperus rufipennis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Dytiscidae Staphylinidae
Size 36-44 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Forests
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Northern Europe, Scandinavia West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle

The largest European diving beetle and one of the largest aquatic beetles in the world. It inhabits clean, fish-poor lakes and is increasingly rare.

💡

Did You Know?

It is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and is one of the most endangered beetles in Europe.

Large Tropical Rove Beetle

A large, impressive tropical rove beetle with red elytra and a black head and pronotum. It is one of the larger staphylinids in the African tropical forest fauna.

💡

Did You Know?

This beetle can deliver a painful bite with its powerful mandibles if handled carelessly, one of the few rove beetles capable of breaking human skin.