Dark Rove Beetle vs Long-tailed Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark Rove Beetle | Long-tailed Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tachyporus nitidulus | Rhamphomyia longicauda |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Empididae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 5-8mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Siberia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark Rove Beetle
A small, shiny dark brown rove beetle with a characteristic boat-shaped body. It is incredibly numerous in northern European farmland, where it is considered a key beneficial predator.
Did You Know?
Pitfall trap studies have shown this to be one of the three most abundant beetle species in British agricultural landscapes.
Long-tailed Dance Fly
A small dark fly where females inflate their legs with air to appear larger during mating swarms. Males present nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females inflate their legs with air bubbles to look larger and more impressive to choosy males in mating swarms.