Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle vs Elephant Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle | Elephant Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Velleius dilatatus | Toxorhynchites rutilus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 15-24 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle
A large, broad rove beetle with flattened expanded elytra, uniquely associated with European hornet nests. It is one of the few rove beetles that lives as an inquiline in social wasp colonies.
Did You Know?
This beetle has evolved tolerance to hornet stings and can live unharmed in active hornet nests that would be lethal to most other insects.
Elephant Mosquito
A large, iridescent blue-green mosquito whose adults do not bite. Larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae in tree holes.
Did You Know?
It is studied as a biological control agent because its larvae devour disease-carrying mosquito larvae.