Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle vs Wandering Percher

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle Wandering Percher
Scientific Name Velleius dilatatus Diplacodes bipunctata
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Staphylinidae Libellulidae
Size 15-24 mm Body 2.5-3 cm; wingspan 4-5 cm
Habitat Woodlands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Australia, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia
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.

Wandering Percher

A small dragonfly where males turn deep red with maturity while females remain yellow and brown. It is one of Australia's most abundant and adaptable dragonflies.

💡

Did You Know?

It is often the first dragonfly to colonize newly created water bodies such as garden ponds.