Nettle Pug vs Horn-headed Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nettle Pug Horn-headed Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Eupithecia venosata Bledius tricornis
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Geometridae Staphylinidae
Size 20-24 mm wingspan 3-5 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Rivers & Streams
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Nettle Pug

A small pug moth associated with bladder campion, not nettles despite its name. Larvae feed inside the inflated seed capsules. A rather attractive species.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called 'Nettle Pug', it has no association with nettles and feeds entirely on campion.

Horn-headed Rove Beetle

A small rove beetle in which males bear three horn-like projections on the head, used in combat for burrow ownership. It is a specialist of sandy riparian habitats near rivers and lakes.

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Did You Know?

Males with larger horns win more contests for burrow ownership, but hornless 'sneaker' males can also mate by entering burrows when the resident male is absent.