Gold-and-brown Rove Beetles spend all their time in places of rot and decay, but they must go where their food grows.
Gold-and-brown Rove Beetles eat flies, maggots and other living insects that use carrion, fungi, dung and rotting plants as their habitat. Slender and long, Gold-and-brown Rove Beetles look somewhat similar to Earwigs, a root eating insect found in container and flower gardens. The Gold-and-brown Rove Beetle's wings are short, and part of their abdomen is exposed for viewing. This gives them the appearance of having half of a wing, almost as if the rest were broken or eaten off. The tip of the abdomen has golden yellow hairs on it, giving it a bright and shiny metallic gleam. When walking, the body of this insect tends to curve upward.
Rove Beetles prefer to stay unseen and are likely to take cover when approached. They can fly and may be glimpsed leaving a feeding site after detecting movement. Most disappear from view before observers begin taking notice of them, so spotting one is a treat.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Coleoptera
Family:Staphylinidae
Genus:Ontholestes
Species:cingulatus
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Ontholestes cingulatus
Category:
Beetle
Size (Adult; Length): 13mm to 18mm (0.51in to 0.70in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Beetle Anatomy
1
Antennae: Beetles have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.
2
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and mandibles (jaws).
3
Thorax: Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
4
Elytron: One of two wing cases on a Beetle that protects its wings (plural: elytra).
5
Wings: Appendages used for flying and kept under the elytra until needed.
6
Abdomen: Houses organs related to circulation, reproduction, and excretion.
7
Legs: Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the thorax, numbering six legs in all.
Colors: brown, yellow, gold
