Fen Rove Beetle vs Spider-hunting Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fen Rove Beetle Spider-hunting Wasp
Scientific Name Stenus providus Anoplius nigerrimus
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Pompilidae
Size 3.5-4.5 mm 12-18mm
Habitat Wetlands Beaches & Coastal
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.

Spider-hunting Wasp

A large all-black spider-hunting wasp that drags paralyzed wolf spiders back to its burrow.

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Did You Know?

Paralyzes a wolf spider with a precise sting to the nerve ganglion then drags it backwards to its burrow.