Excavated Rove Beetle vs Common Burying Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Excavated Rove Beetle | Common Burying Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Omalium excavatum | Nicrophorus vespillo |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Silphidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 12-22 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.
Common Burying Beetle
A large orange-and-black beetle that buries small animal carcasses for its larvae. Uses chemical cues to locate corpses from great distances. Shows remarkable parental care with both parents tending larvae.
Did You Know?
Can bury a dead mouse completely underground in just a few hours by excavating soil from beneath the carcass.