Mole-nest Rove Beetle vs Brazilian Railroad Worm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mole-nest Rove Beetle Brazilian Railroad Worm
Scientific Name Quedius mesomelinus Phrixothrix viviani
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Phengodidae
Size 6-9 mm 20-40 mm (female), 10-14 mm (male)
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Grasslands
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia, introduced to North America South America, Brazil
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mole-nest Rove Beetle

A medium-sized, dark rove beetle commonly found in caves, cellars, and the nests of burrowing mammals. It is one of the most troglophilic rove beetles in the Palearctic region.

💡

Did You Know?

This beetle is one of the most commonly recorded beetle species in European caves, thriving in the perpetual darkness.

Brazilian Railroad Worm

A tropical glowworm beetle with the remarkable ability to produce both green lateral lights and a red cephalic light. The female is large and larviform, while the male is a small, short-lived winged beetle.

💡

Did You Know?

The red and green lights are produced by different luciferases, making this beetle a subject of intensive biochemical research.