Compost Rove Beetle vs Black-Headed Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Compost Rove Beetle | Black-Headed Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxytelus laqueatus | Epicauta pennsylvanica |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Holarctic: Europe, Asia, North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Compost Rove Beetle
A small, broad oxytelline rove beetle with a distinctively sculptured pronotum bearing deep grooves. It is abundant in composting material and agricultural waste across the Holarctic region.
Did You Know?
This beetle is so abundant in compost that a single shovelful can contain dozens of individuals, making it one of the most numerous insects in garden ecosystems.
Black-Headed Blister Beetle
An entirely black blister beetle common across eastern North America, often seen in large groups on goldenrod in autumn. Its larvae are parasitoids of grasshopper eggs.
Did You Know?
Larvae go through hypermetamorphosis, changing dramatically in form across five different larval stages.