Nest Rove Beetle vs Woolly Hackberry Aphid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nest Rove Beetle Woolly Hackberry Aphid
Scientific Name Quedius ochripennis Shivaphis celti
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Staphylinidae Aphididae
Size 6-9 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasites Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia East Asia, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Nest Rove Beetle

A medium-sized rove beetle with pale brownish elytra, specializing in bird and mammal nests. It exploits the rich invertebrate fauna that develops in the warm, organic-rich nest material.

💡

Did You Know?

By preying on flea and fly larvae in bird nests, this beetle provides an indirect benefit to nesting birds by reducing their ectoparasite burden.

Woolly Hackberry Aphid

A waxy-white social aphid that feeds on hackberry trees and is notable for its cooperative colony defense. Large groups coordinate to kick and push predators off leaf surfaces.

💡

Did You Know?

They produce copious white waxy filaments that can accumulate like snow under heavily infested hackberry trees.