Wrinkled Rove Beetle vs Mountain Shieldbug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wrinkled Rove Beetle Mountain Shieldbug
Scientific Name Oxytelus rugosus Canthophorus impressus
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Staphylinidae Cydnidae
Size 3-5 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Tundra & Arctic
Diet Dung Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, introduced to North America Scandinavia, Scotland, northern Russia, alpine Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wrinkled Rove Beetle

A small, flattened rove beetle with a heavily sculptured pronotum bearing deep longitudinal furrows. It is one of the most common dung-inhabiting staphylinids across the Palearctic region.

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Did You Know?

This beetle is among the first colonizers of fresh dung pats, arriving within minutes of deposition to prey on fly eggs.

Mountain Shieldbug

A small, dark brown to black burrowing shieldbug found in Arctic and alpine habitats. It has a broadly oval body with a prominent scutellum. Adults live at the base of plants and in soil crevices.

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Did You Know?

This shieldbug emits a strong defensive odor when disturbed, which is particularly pungent in cold Arctic air.