Flower Rove Beetle vs Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flower Rove Beetle Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly
Scientific Name Eusphalerum luteum Xyela minor
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Xyelidae
Size 2-4 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Flower Rove Beetle

A small, yellowish omaline rove beetle that is unusual among staphylinids for being a regular flower visitor. It feeds on pollen and nectar and may play a role in pollination.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the few rove beetles that regularly visits flowers, and pollen grains found on its body suggest it may be an accidental pollinator.

Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly

A tiny sawfly with the characteristic elongated third antennal segment of its ancient family. Adults emerge in early spring to coincide with pine pollen release.

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Did You Know?

Xyelid sawflies time their adult emergence precisely to the few weeks when pine male cones are shedding pollen, their larvae's only food source.