Red-bellied Rove Beetle vs Narrow-Necked Cave Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red-bellied Rove Beetle | Narrow-Necked Cave Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tasgius melanarius | Leptodirus hochenwartii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Leiodidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Caves |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, introduced to North America and Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Red-bellied Rove Beetle
A large, shiny black rove beetle with a reddish-brown abdominal tip, found in synanthropic habitats across Europe. It is commonly encountered in gardens and urban areas where it hunts at night.
Did You Know?
This beetle is one of the most synanthropic rove beetles, frequently entering houses and cellars where it is often mistaken for an earwig.
Narrow-Necked Cave Beetle
The first cave-dwelling animal ever scientifically described, in 1832. Completely eyeless and unpigmented, with an elongated neck-like pronotum adapted to cave life.
Did You Know?
Described in 1832, this was the first troglobite ever known to science — its discovery launched the entire field of cave biology and biospeleology.