Termitophilous Rove Beetle vs Monkey Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Termitophilous Rove Beetle Monkey Beetle
Scientific Name Corotoca melantho Hopliini scolioides
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 5-8 mm (body length without physogastric abdomen) 8-15 mm
Habitat Woodlands Heathland
Diet Omnivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Brazil, tropical South America Africa
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.

Monkey Beetle

A hairy scarab beetle that pollinates flowers in South African fynbos.

💡

Did You Know?

Dense body hairs collect pollen as it crawls inside daisy flowers.