European Amazon Ant vs Hairy Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Amazon Ant Hairy Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Polyergus rufescens Creophilus maxillosus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Formicidae Staphylinidae
Size 6-7 mm 12-23 mm
Habitat Meadows Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America, Europe, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

European Amazon Ant

An obligate slave-making ant that raids colonies of Formica ants to steal pupae. The kidnapped workers then perform all domestic duties for the Polyergus colony.

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Did You Know?

Their sickle-shaped mandibles are so specialized for fighting that they cannot feed themselves or care for their own brood.

Hairy Rove Beetle

A stocky rove beetle with distinctive patches of golden-grey hair on its elytra. It is commonly found on carrion where it hunts fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

Forensic entomologists use this beetle's presence on corpses to help estimate time of death.