Fen Rove Beetle vs Common Clubtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fen Rove Beetle Common Clubtail
Scientific Name Stenus providus Gomphus vulgatissimus
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Staphylinidae Gomphidae
Size 3.5-4.5 mm 50-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Northern Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fen Rove Beetle

A tiny rove beetle of wetland margins with exceptionally large eyes for a beetle its size. Uses a retractable sticky labial pad to catch springtails. Confined to fen habitats.

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Did You Know?

Has proportionally the largest eyes of any British beetle relative to its body size.

Common Clubtail

A medium-sized dragonfly with a club-shaped abdomen tip and distinctive yellow and black markings. It emerges en masse from rivers in late spring.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most dragonflies, clubtails frequently perch on the ground or on flat surfaces rather than hanging from vegetation.