Xantholine Rove Beetle vs Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xantholine Rove Beetle Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
Scientific Name Xantholinus linearis Mystrium oberthueri
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Amblyoponidae
Size 6-9 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Xantholine Rove Beetle

An elongated, shiny black rove beetle with a distinctive long head. It hunts small invertebrates in soil and under bark.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely elongated head allows it to probe deep into bark crevices and soil pores for hidden prey.

Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant

A pale yellow to amber ant with elongated mandibles that can snap shut at extreme speeds. It is closely related to M. camillae and shares the Dracula ant feeding behavior.

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Did You Know?

Like other Dracula ants, workers feed by non-destructively puncturing larval skin and drinking hemolymph, a practice unique among ants.