Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle (Ontholestes cingulatus)
Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle.
Updated: 8/16/2017; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle
Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetles may spend all their time in places of rot and decay, but they must go where there 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. The tip of the abdomen has golden yellow hairs on it, giving it a pop of color and a shiny metallic gleam. When walking, it 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.
