Brown-winged Rove Beetle vs Green Grooved Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brown-winged Rove Beetle Green Grooved Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Tasgius ater Phanaeus difformis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 14-18 mm 11-18 mm
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Southeastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brown-winged Rove Beetle

A large, uniformly dark rove beetle with subtly brownish elytra, closely related to Tasgius melanarius. It prefers more rural habitats than its congener and is often found in agricultural landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Farmers historically considered this beetle beneficial, as it actively hunts crop-damaging leatherjackets in agricultural soils.

Green Grooved Dung Beetle

A metallic green and copper tunneling dung beetle with a prominent male horn that is slightly offset to one side. The pronotum is smoothly convex and brilliantly iridescent. Found in southeastern North American forests.

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Did You Know?

The asymmetrical horn of the male is unique among North American Phanaeus species.