Pea Moth vs Excavated Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pea Moth Excavated Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cydia nigricana Omalium excavatum
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Tortricidae Staphylinidae
Size 12-15 mm wingspan 3-4 mm
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pea Moth

A small tortrix moth whose larvae feed inside pea pods. A significant pest of commercial and garden peas. Adults fly in June-July when peas are flowering.

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Did You Know?

Finding a maggot in your fresh garden peas almost certainly means a pea moth larva has been at work.

Excavated Rove Beetle

A small, brownish omaline rove beetle with distinctive excavations on the pronotum. It frequents decaying vegetation and is particularly associated with compost heaps and grass clippings.

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Did You Know?

This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.