Excavated Rove Beetle vs Sallow Kitten

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Excavated Rove Beetle Sallow Kitten
Scientific Name Omalium excavatum Furcula furcula
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Notodontidae
Size 3-4 mm 30-37 mm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
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.

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Did You Know?

This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.

Sallow Kitten

A small, fluffy white moth with delicate grey markings. Named for its resemblance to a small cat. Larvae have tail filaments like the puss moth. Found near willow and sallow.

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Did You Know?

A diminutive relative of the puss moth, whose caterpillars share the same tail-whipping defensive behavior.