Two-colored Quedius vs Smooth Hister Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Two-colored Quedius Smooth Hister Beetle
Scientific Name Quedius cruentus Margarinotus striola
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Histeridae
Size 8-12 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Forests Indoors
Diet Blood Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, especially mountain regions Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Two-colored Quedius

A medium-sized rove beetle with a metallic dark head and pronotum contrasting with blood-red elytra. It inhabits montane forests and is often found under bark of decaying conifers.

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Did You Know?

This beetle follows the tunnels of bark beetles through dead wood, acting as a natural biocontrol agent in forest ecosystems.

Smooth Hister Beetle

A compact, highly polished black beetle with fine elytral striations. It is one of the most common dung-dwelling hister beetles in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its almost mirror-like surface is so smooth that dung and debris slide off its body, keeping it permanently clean.