Termitophilous Rove Beetle vs Gershner's Jumping Bristletail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Termitophilous Rove Beetle | Gershner's Jumping Bristletail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corotoca melantho | Pedetontus gershneri |
| Order | Coleoptera | Archaeognatha |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Machilidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm (body length without physogastric abdomen) | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Brazil, tropical South America | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Termitophilous Rove Beetle
A bizarre, physogastric rove beetle that lives inside termite nests in Brazil. The female's abdomen becomes enormously swollen and translucent, resembling a termite queen in miniature.
Did You Know?
This is one of the only beetles known to give live birth (viviparity); fully formed larvae emerge from the female rather than eggs.
Gershner's Jumping Bristletail
A North American jumping bristletail found in leaf litter and under bark. It has a distinctly humped thorax and long tail filaments.
Did You Know?
Like all Archaeognatha, it molts throughout its entire adult life.