Silky Hairstreak vs Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silky Hairstreak Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Pseudalmenus chlorinda Ontholestes tessellatus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Lycaenidae Staphylinidae
Size 2.5-3.5 cm wingspan 14-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Australia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Silky Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with metallic blue-green sheen and orange-spotted hindwing tails. Its larvae have a mutualistic relationship with ants.

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Did You Know?

Ants guard the caterpillars in exchange for sugary secretions from special glands on the larvae.

Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle

A large rove beetle covered in a mosaic of golden and dark brown hairs. It frequents dung and carrion where it preys on fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

Its tessellated hair pattern acts as camouflage against the mottled surfaces of dung and decaying matter.