Shore Rove Beetle vs Ant Nest Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Shore Rove Beetle Ant Nest Beetle
Scientific Name Philonthus quisquiliarius Paussus favieri
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Carabidae
Size 5-7 mm 5-8mm
Habitat Wetlands Heathland
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Europe Europe, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Shore Rove Beetle

A small metallic greenish rove beetle found along pond and river margins in marshy habitats. Hunts small invertebrates in wet leaf litter and debris.

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Did You Know?

The metallic green sheen is unusual among European Philonthus species, most of which are plain black.

Ant Nest Beetle

A bizarre reddish-brown beetle with swollen club-shaped antennae that lives inside ant nests. It mimics ant chemical signals to avoid detection.

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Did You Know?

It secretes chemicals from its antennae that drug the ants into a stupor allowing it to freely eat their brood.