Stinking Rove Beetle vs Arctic Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Stinking Rove Beetle | Arctic Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocypus nero | Amara alpina |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 16-25 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe, Mediterranean | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Greenland |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Stinking Rove Beetle
A jet-black rove beetle with finely punctured elytra and a broad head. It emits a foul-smelling secretion when disturbed.
Did You Know?
Its defensive odour is produced by abdominal glands and is potent enough to deter birds and small mammals.
Arctic Ground Beetle
A small, dark bronze ground beetle found on Arctic and alpine tundra. It has a broad, flattened body ideal for sheltering under stones. Adults are active during the brief Arctic summer and are partially herbivorous.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been found in Quaternary fossil deposits across northern Europe, showing it has inhabited the tundra since the last Ice Age.