Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle vs Mealworm Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle Mealworm Beetle
Scientific Name Ontholestes tessellatus Tenebrio molitor
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Tenebrionidae
Size 14-20 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

Mealworm Beetle

A dull black-brown darkling beetle best known for its larval form, the mealworm. It is commercially raised worldwide as animal feed.

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Did You Know?

Mealworms can digest polystyrene foam, offering a potential solution for plastic waste.