Fen Rove Beetle vs Kite-tailed Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fen Rove Beetle | Kite-tailed Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenus providus | Tolmerus atricapillus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 3.5-4.5 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Northern Europe | Europe, Central Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fen Rove Beetle
A tiny rove beetle of wetland margins with exceptionally large eyes for a beetle its size. Uses a retractable sticky labial pad to catch springtails. Confined to fen habitats.
Did You Know?
Has proportionally the largest eyes of any British beetle relative to its body size.
Kite-tailed Robber Fly
A common grey robber fly with a slightly club-shaped abdomen. It is widespread across Europe, frequently hunting from low perches.
Did You Know?
It is one of the last robber fly species to remain active into late autumn.