Rove Beetle
Scientific Name: Staphylinidae (Family name)
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Staphylinidae
Size: Generally 1 to 35 mm (0.04 to 1.4 inches), although most species are less than 7 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Found in a variety of terrestrial habitats, often under stones, in leaf litter, decaying wood, or near compost; occasionally enter buildings searching for moisture or prey.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily carnivorous; they eat a variety of small insects and mites, though some species consume decaying organic matter or fungi.
Behavior Patterns
Notable for their short elytra (wing covers) that expose most of their abdominal segments. Many species can run quickly and may raise the tip of their abdomen like a scorpion when threatened, though they do not sting.
Risks & Benefits
They are highly beneficial to ecosystems as predators of agricultural and garden pests like aphids and root maggots. While they are harmless to humans, certain species in the genus Paederus can cause skin irritation (dermatitis) if crushed against the skin.
Identified on: 3/28/2026