Denticulate Soldier Beetle vs Polished Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Denticulate Soldier Beetle Polished Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Silis percomis Philonthus politus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Staphylinidae
Size 5-8 mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Grasslands Underground
Diet Pollen Feeders Detritivores
Regions Central North America Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Denticulate Soldier Beetle

A small, rarely noticed soldier beetle found in grasslands of the midwestern United States. Males have distinctive tooth-like projections on their antennae.

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Did You Know?

The serrated antennae of males are unique among North American soldier beetles and aid in detecting pheromones.

Polished Rove Beetle

A medium-sized rove beetle with an exceptionally smooth, polished black integument and reddish-brown legs. It is a generalist predator found in a wide range of decomposing organic substrates.

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Did You Know?

This species produces antimicrobial compounds in its defensive secretions that help protect it from the pathogen-rich environments it inhabits.