Excavated Rove Beetle vs Mother of Pearl Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Excavated Rove Beetle Mother of Pearl Moth
Scientific Name Omalium excavatum Patania ruralis
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Crambidae
Size 3-4 mm 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, introduced to North America Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America
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.

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

💡

Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.