Red Mushroom Beetle vs Brown Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Mushroom Beetle Brown Chafer
Scientific Name Oxyporus rufus Serica brunnea
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-12 mm 8-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Heathland
Diet Herbivores Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Mushroom Beetle

A striking red and black rove beetle that lives in and feeds on fresh mushroom caps. Has large, powerful mandibles for cutting fungal tissue. One of the few herbivorous rove beetles.

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Did You Know?

Unusual among rove beetles for being a herbivore, with powerful mandibles adapted for cutting through fungal tissue.

Brown Chafer

A small chestnut-brown beetle with a velvety sheen to its elytra. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights on warm summer nights.

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Did You Know?

Its velvety appearance is caused by tiny, densely packed hairs covering the entire body surface.