Red Rove Beetle vs Gatekeeper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Rove Beetle Gatekeeper
Scientific Name Platydracus maculosus Pyronia tithonus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Nymphalidae
Size 15-22 mm 34-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Western Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Rove Beetle

A large, brightly marked rove beetle with reddish elytra spotted with dark markings and a densely pubescent thorax. It is one of the most colorful North American staphylinids.

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Did You Know?

This beetle can produce audible stridulatory sounds by rubbing specialized structures on its abdomen against the underside of the elytra.

Gatekeeper

A common warm-brown butterfly often seen basking on hedgerow flowers in high summer. It has distinctive twin white pupils within the eye-spots on its forewings.

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Did You Know?

Its alternative name 'Hedge Brown' reflects its strong association with hedgerow habitats.