Sculpted Rove Beetle vs Snow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sculpted Rove Beetle | Snow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anotylus sculpturatus | Chionea araneoides |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Limoniidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Mountains |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia, introduced globally | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sculpted Rove Beetle
A small, stout oxytelline rove beetle with deeply sculptured integument and a distinctively broad, flat body. It is a very common species in agricultural and garden compost across Europe.
Did You Know?
Enormous swarms of this beetle sometimes emerge from compost heaps and can be seen flying in dense clouds at dusk.
Snow Fly
A wingless crane fly that walks on snow surfaces in winter to find mates.
Did You Know?
Its antifreeze proteins allow activity at temperatures well below freezing.