Southern Rove Beetle vs Colorado Three-lined Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Rove Beetle | Colorado Three-lined Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Philonthus spinipes | Lema trivittata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Mediterranean Europe, North Africa | Western North America |
| 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.
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.
Colorado Three-lined Leaf Beetle
A small, elongated beetle with an orange-yellow body and three dark longitudinal stripes on the elytra. It feeds on tomatillo and ground cherry in the western United States.
Did You Know?
Like other Lema species, the larvae cover themselves in their own frass, which may serve both as camouflage and as a deterrent to parasitoids.