Dark Rove Beetle vs Lily Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark Rove Beetle Lily Beetle
Scientific Name Tachyporus nitidulus Lilioceris lilii
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Chrysomelidae
Size 3-4 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe, Siberia Europe, Asia; invasive in North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Dark Rove Beetle

A small, shiny dark brown rove beetle with a characteristic boat-shaped body. It is incredibly numerous in northern European farmland, where it is considered a key beneficial predator.

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Did You Know?

Pitfall trap studies have shown this to be one of the three most abundant beetle species in British agricultural landscapes.

Lily Beetle

A bright scarlet beetle that is a destructive pest of lilies and fritillaries. Larvae camouflage themselves by covering their bodies with their own excrement.

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Did You Know?

When picked up, adults squeak by rubbing body parts together in a behavior called stridulation.