Four-spotted Rove Beetle vs Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-spotted Rove Beetle Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Drusilla canaliculata Ontholestes tessellatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Staphylinidae
Size 3-4 mm 14-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Scavengers Predators
Regions Europe, Northern Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Four-spotted Rove Beetle

A small, flattened aleocharine rove beetle with a distinctive channeled pronotum and brownish coloration. It is frequently found in and around ant nests where it scavenges on nest debris.

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Did You Know?

This beetle produces a defensive spray from abdominal glands that deters attacking ants, allowing it to live safely near ant colonies.

Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle

A large rove beetle covered in a mosaic of golden and dark brown hairs. It frequents dung and carrion where it preys on fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

Its tessellated hair pattern acts as camouflage against the mottled surfaces of dung and decaying matter.