Southern Rove Beetle vs Australian Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Rove Beetle Australian Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Philonthus spinipes Archichauliodes diversus
Order Coleoptera Megaloptera
Family Staphylinidae Corydalidae
Size 8-11 mm 50-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Mediterranean Europe, North Africa Australia, New Zealand
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Rove Beetle

A shiny, black rove beetle with distinctive spiny hind tibiae. It is a fast-running predator commonly found under stones and debris in drier, warmer habitats of southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

The spiny tibiae that give this species its name are used as weapons in combat with rival males over territory and mates.

Australian Dobsonfly

A large, dark dobsonfly found in clean streams across southeastern Australia. Larvae are important predators in cool forest streams.

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Did You Know?

It is found on both sides of the Tasman Sea, occurring in both Australia and New Zealand.