Compost Rove Beetle vs Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Compost Rove Beetle | Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxytelus laqueatus | Coleomegilla maculata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Coccinellidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Pollen Feeders |
| 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.
Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle
An oblong, pink-red ladybird with twelve black spots found across North America. It is unusual among ladybirds because it also eats pollen and fungal spores.
Did You Know?
Up to 50% of its diet can be plant pollen, making it one of the most omnivorous ladybird species known.