Army Ant Rove Beetle vs Oak Eggar

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Army Ant Rove Beetle Oak Eggar
Scientific Name Ecitomorpha arachnoides Lasiocampa quercus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Lasiocampidae
Size 4-6 mm 50-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Central America, South America Europe, North Africa, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Army Ant Rove Beetle

An extraordinary myrmecophilous rove beetle whose body remarkably mimics the shape of its host army ants. It lives exclusively among New World army ant colonies, marching with them on raids.

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Did You Know?

Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ant that early entomologists initially classified it as an ant rather than a beetle.

Oak Eggar

A robust moth with rich brown wings and a distinctive white spot on each forewing. Males are active fast fliers during the day, while females fly at night.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a female's pheromones from several kilometres away.