Shore Rove Beetle vs Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Shore Rove Beetle Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Philonthus quisquiliarius Hemaris tityus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Sphingidae
Size 5-7 mm 38-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Wetlands
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (declining in western Europe)

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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings and a furry olive-and-brown body. It flies by day, hovering at flowers in a manner indistinguishable from a real bee.

💡

Did You Know?

The wing scales fall off during its first flight, leaving the characteristic clear patches.