Splendid Rove Beetle vs Narrow-bordered Bombardier

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Splendid Rove Beetle Narrow-bordered Bombardier
Scientific Name Philonthus splendens Brachinus sclopeta
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Carabidae
Size 11-14 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Grasslands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe Mediterranean Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Splendid Rove Beetle

A large, shiny black rove beetle associated with mammal dung. Found across European pasturelands. An effective predator of dung fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

One of the largest European Philonthus species, making it a dominant predator within dung communities.

Narrow-bordered Bombardier

A Mediterranean bombardier beetle with a narrow body and orange-brown coloring. It shelters communally under stones in dry habitats.

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Did You Know?

Groups of up to 100 individuals have been found sheltering together under a single stone.