Duke of Burgundy vs Excavated Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Duke of Burgundy Excavated Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Hamearis lucina Omalium excavatum
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Riodinidae Staphylinidae
Size 29-34 mm wingspan 3-4 mm
Habitat Grasslands Gardens
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern (declining regionally) Least Concern

Duke of Burgundy

A small, chequered brown and orange butterfly and Europe's only member of the metalmark family. It has declined significantly due to habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common name suggesting a fritillary, it belongs to an entirely different family.

Excavated Rove Beetle

A small, brownish omaline rove beetle with distinctive excavations on the pronotum. It frequents decaying vegetation and is particularly associated with compost heaps and grass clippings.

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Did You Know?

This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.