Brown Rove Beetle
Platydracus maculosus
Despite their short wing covers (elytra), they have fully functional wings folded underneath and are surprisingly strong fliers.
- Scientific name
- Platydracus maculosus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Staphylinidae › Platydracus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, specifically within leaf litter, rotting logs, and near carrion or dung.
- Diet
- Carnivorous; primarily hunts fly larvae (maggots), mites, and other small soil-dwelling invertebrates.
- Range
- North America, United States, Canada
- Size
- 20-30 mm in length
- Lifespan
- 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation and heavy use of broad-spectrum pesticides in forest management.
- Safe to approach?
- Defensive. This beetle is harmless to humans but may deliver a sharp nip with its mandibles if handled. It often raises its abdomen like a scorpion to ward off threats; this is a bluff. Observe without touching. If bitten or if defensive secretions contact skin, wash the area with soap and water to prevent mild irritation.
Photo: Dan MacNeal, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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