Clavigerite Ant Beetle vs Toe-winged Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Clavigerite Ant Beetle Toe-winged Beetle
Scientific Name Claviger testaceus Ptilodactyla exotica
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Ptilodactylidae
Size 2-3 mm 5-10 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Clavigerite Ant Beetle

A tiny, blind, wingless rove beetle that is an obligate guest of Lasius ant colonies. It has lost its eyes and developed specialized trichomes that secrete ant-appeasing compounds.

💡

Did You Know?

It is so dependent on ants that it cannot survive more than a few hours outside their nest.

Toe-winged Beetle

A soft-bodied beetle whose larvae are aquatic and breathe through anal gills.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults are attracted to lights at night while larvae remain fully aquatic.