Swallow Louse Fly vs Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swallow Louse Fly Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Ornithomya avicularia Velleius dilatatus
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Hippoboscidae Staphylinidae
Size 5-7 mm 15-24 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Swallow Louse Fly

A flattened, brownish winged louse fly that parasitizes a wide range of bird species. It moves rapidly through feathers using its laterally compressed body and strong tarsal claws.

💡

Did You Know?

It can parasitize over 30 different bird species, making it one of the most host-generalist hippoboscid flies.

Hairy Sexton Rove Beetle

A large, broad rove beetle with flattened expanded elytra, uniquely associated with European hornet nests. It is one of the few rove beetles that lives as an inquiline in social wasp colonies.

💡

Did You Know?

This beetle has evolved tolerance to hornet stings and can live unharmed in active hornet nests that would be lethal to most other insects.