Dung-loving Rove Beetle vs Thomson's Longhorn
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dung-loving Rove Beetle | Thomson's Longhorn |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Philonthus marginatus | Batocera thomsonii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 38-60 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Forests |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, introduced to Australasia | Philippines |
| 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.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent against pastoral dung flies.
Thomson's Longhorn
A large and robust cerambycid from the Philippines with chocolate-brown elytra marked by irregular cream-colored patches. It is named after the 19th-century entomologist James Thomson. Larvae develop in breadfruit and mahogany trunks.
Did You Know?
Pupation occurs in a chamber lined with wood shavings that the larva compacts into smooth walls.