Mountain Shieldbug vs Wrinkled Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Shieldbug | Wrinkled Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Canthophorus impressus | Oxytelus rugosus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cydnidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Scotland, northern Russia, alpine Europe | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mountain Shieldbug
A small, dark brown to black burrowing shieldbug found in Arctic and alpine habitats. It has a broadly oval body with a prominent scutellum. Adults live at the base of plants and in soil crevices.
Did You Know?
This shieldbug emits a strong defensive odor when disturbed, which is particularly pungent in cold Arctic air.
Wrinkled Rove Beetle
A small, flattened rove beetle with a heavily sculptured pronotum bearing deep longitudinal furrows. It is one of the most common dung-inhabiting staphylinids across the Palearctic region.
Did You Know?
This beetle is among the first colonizers of fresh dung pats, arriving within minutes of deposition to prey on fly eggs.