Dung-loving Rove Beetle vs Short-Winged False Blister Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dung-loving Rove Beetle Short-Winged False Blister Beetle
Scientific Name Philonthus marginatus Oedemera femorata
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Oedemeridae
Size 8-12 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Gardens Underground
Diet Dung Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa, introduced to Australasia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dung-loving Rove Beetle

A medium-sized, shiny black rove beetle with distinctly margined elytra found commonly in dung and compost. It is one of the most frequently encountered Philonthus species in pastoral landscapes.

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Did You Know?

This beetle has been introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent against pastoral dung flies.

Short-Winged False Blister Beetle

A dark-colored oedemerid with gaping elytra that do not cover the full abdomen. Males have conspicuously thickened hind legs.

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Did You Know?

Its elytra splay apart toward the tips, revealing the folded hindwings beneath in a distinctive V-shape.