Rugose Rove Beetle vs Zebra Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rugose Rove Beetle Zebra Swallowtail
Scientific Name Anotylus rugosus Eurytides marcellus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Papilionidae
Size 3-5 mm 64-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Scavengers Omnivores
Regions Cosmopolitan: Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas, Australasia Eastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rugose Rove Beetle

A small, dark oxytelline rove beetle with a heavily rugose (wrinkled) surface texture. It is extremely common in dung and decaying organic matter across much of the temperate world.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the most cosmopolitan beetle species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.

Zebra Swallowtail

A pale greenish-white swallowtail with bold black stripes and very long hindwing tails. Its striking zebra-like pattern makes it one of the most recognizable North American butterflies.

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Did You Know?

Spring-emerging individuals have shorter tails and darker markings than the larger, paler summer generation.