Featured speciesText © K. Reißmann, T. Hörren, M. Stern, F. Bötzl and C. Benisch
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15.03.2024
Dasycerus sulcatus Brongn., 1800
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22 
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The only 1.8 to 2.3 mm large rove beetle Dasycerus sulcatus (family Staphylinidae) is one of four representatives of the genus and the only one occurring in our fauna. Formerly, the species where counted into a separated family (Dasyceridae), but have been transferred as subfamily to the family roves beetles. The brown body exhibits characteristic chitinous sculptures. The long, thin antenna are very conspicuous. Dasycerus sulcatus is known to occur from North Africa over South and Central Europe to the Caucasus. The eurytopic, mycetophagous species can be found decaying plant matter and in moldy detritus as well as in patches of moss and in decaying dead wood in deciduous and mixed forests of the colline zone. The feed on fungal hyphae. In Germany, Dasycerus sulcatus is missing in the northern regions. It is not regarded as endangered. (CB)
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09.06.2023
Scaphidium quadrimaculatum Ol., 1790
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15
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The 5 to 6 mm large rove beetle Scaphidium quadrimaculatum (family Staphylinidae) is the only representatives of the genus in Germany and can be easily recognized. Worldwide the genus Scaphidium comprises over 260 species with their main distribution area being the tropics. Scaphidium quadrimaculatum occurs from southern France through northern and central Europe to the Balkans and reaches the Altai Mountains in the east. The eurytopic, mycetophilous species lives in deciduous and mixed forests, at forest edges and in gardens. The beetles can be found on wood infested with fungi, on dead trees, rotting and fungus-infected twigs on the ground, on bracket fungi and in moss and leaf litter. Probably they feed on fungal mycelium. The adults hibernate. In Germany, the species is reported from all Federal States and is very common. (CB)
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27.01.2023
Acylophorus wagenschieberi Kiesw., 1850
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20
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The 7 to 9 mm large rove beetle Acylophorus wagenschieberi (family Staphylinidae) is one of only two representatives of the genus in Germany, which are easily recognized by a prolonged scape and the geniculate antennae. Acylophorus wagenschieberi is known to occur from the southern part of Northern Europe over Central Europe to Siberia. The stenotopic, tyrphobiont species is a typical inhabitant of raised and transitional bogs, which lives on wet peat moss (Sphagnum) and requires a constant, high water level. Larval development takes place in June and July. The generation appears end of July and is active until October, before it seeks a suitable wintering ground and hibernates. Due to declining habitats the species has become rare in Germany and is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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18.11.2022
Creophilus maxillosus (L., 1758)
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14
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The 15 to 25 mm large hairy rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus (family Staphylinidae) is the only representative of the genus in Germany. Worldwide 13 Creophilus species have been described. Creophilus maxillosus is almost a cosmopolite, occurring in the entire Palearctic, large parts of North and Central America and parts of South America. The ubiquitous species lives in various habitats from forest to open land. Both beetles and their larvae prey on other insects and their larvae, mainly fly maggots. Hence they are usually found on carrion, dung, fungi and other decaying plant matter. The beetle has defensive abdominal glands, used to secrete a mixture of chemicals (main component dihydroneptalactone) that act as an irritant to predators. Creophilus maxillosus is widespread in Germany and everywhere common. (CB)
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23.09.2022
Philonthus spinipes Shp., 1874
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14
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The 13 to 18 mm large rove beetle Philonthus spinipes (family Staphylinidae) is a representative of the speciose cosmopolitan genus Philonthus, which comprises over 1250 species worldwide and 71 in Germany. Philonthus spinipes originates from East Asia, but has expanded its range westwards and is nowadays present in the entire Palearctic from Western Europe to Siberia. In Central Europe, the first discovery was made in 1982. It is a habitat competitor with Philonthus nitidus, which it has gradually replaced with the consequence, that P. nitidus has become rare in Central Europe. The beetles can be found in compost, excrements, plant debris and occasionally in rotting carrion. In Germany the species is present in all Federal States and – as an adventive species – is not endangered. (CB)
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15.07.2022
Paederidus ruficollis (F., 1781)
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16
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The 6.5 to 8 mm large rove beetle Paederidus ruficollis (family Staphylinidae) is one of two quite similar species of the genus in Germany. Its sister species P. rubrothoracicus is slightly larger (8 to 9.5 mm) and exhibits a dark blue metallic abdomen, whereas in P. ruficollis the abdomen is black with only a faint blue metallic shine. In Europe, four species are known. The stenotopic, psammophilous species ranges from North Africa over Europe to Asia Minor and Iran. The gregarious beetles can be found on sandy and gravelly edges of rivers and lakes, where they move swiftly in the sunshine. The beetles are predaceous and feed on other insects. In Germany, recent records are known from many Federal States with exception of the East. Paederidus ruficollis is not regarded as endangered. (CB)
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18.03.2022
Emus hirtus (L., 1758)
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27
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The 18 to 28 mm large rove beetle Emus hirtus (family Staphylinidae) is probably the most beautiful rove beetle in our fauna and the only representative of the genus in Germany. The eurytopic, thermophilous species occurs throughout Europe, in the East till western Central Asia. It prefers near-natural meadows, especially on warm and dry slopes, sandy sun-exposed pastures and dry edges of forests. Both beetles and larvae are predaceous and live on fresh dung of horses and cattle, where they prey on imagines and larvae of dipterans and other beetles. The hairs of the imagines are water- and dirt-repellent, hence the beetles can dwell on fresh cow dung without getting stained. In Germany, populations fluctuate considerably and often the species disappears for several years from certain locations. It is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (CB)
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17.09.2021
Dianous coerulescens (Gyll., 1810)
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28
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The 5 to 6 mm large rove beetle Dianous coerulescens (family Staphylinidae) is the only representative of the holarctic and oriental genus in our fauna. Dianous coerulescens is known to occur in North and Central Europe, from the British Isles and Fennoscandia to Italy and the Balkan. The beetles live in the low mountain range and its foreland. They dwell in moss and vegetation at waterfalls, weirs and cold torrents. Representatives of the genera Dianous and stenus show a remarkable skimming behavior: With the hydrophobic lower side of their tarsi the beetles are able to walk on water. While touching the water surface with the tip of their abdomen, they secrete a water-insoluble secretion, which rapidly spreads as a film on the water surface, propelling the beetle at its edge. By bending their abdomen, the beetles are able to actively steer and reach speeds of up to 40 cm/s. (CB)
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23.04.2021
Lomechusa emarginata (Payk., 1789)
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24
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The 3.5 to 4.5 mm large rove beetle Lomechusa emarginata (family Staphylinidae) is the most common species of the three representatives of the genus in Germany. The myrmecophilous species is of Eurosiberian distribution. It lives on close relationship with ants: In autumn, the freshly hatched beetle leaves the nest of Formica fusca, waits a few days until the chitinous exoskeleton has hardened and the smell of F. fusca has worn off. It then hibernates in the nest of the European fire ant (Myrmica rubra). In spring it returns to the nest of Formica fusca and allows its larvae to be reared by the ants. The beetles can be found at the edges of forests and clearings, both in the ant nest but also on the lower vegetation around the nest or swarming. In Germany, L. emarginata is present in all Federal States and not endangered. (CB)
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29.01.2021
Bledius tricornis (Hbst., 1784)
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26
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The 5.5 to 7 mm large rove beetle Bledius tricornis (family Staphylinidae) is one of 40 representatives of the genus in Germany, which are not easily distinguished. The stenotopic species is known to occur in the southern Palearctic, from Southern Europe to the southern part of Northern Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus to South Siberia and China. The beetles are halotolerant, they can be found both on the coast and in the inland on sandy and loamy substrates. The front legs are of the fossorial type. The beetles dig burrow systems into the soil. When flushed with water, they come to the surface. Presumably they feed on algae. On warm days, the beetles swarm during dusk and are attracted to light sources. Bledius tricornis is recorded from virtually all Federal States, but is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3). (CB)
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06.11.2020
Achenium depressum (Grav., 1802)
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19
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The 7.5 to 8.5 mm large rove beetle Achenium depressum (family Staphylinidae) is besides A. humile one of only two representatives of the genus in Germany. After the revision of Assing (2010), the mainly southern palearctic genus comprises 53 valid species. In Morocco (15) and Spain (12) they reach their greatest diversity of species. Achenium depressum is of Adriato-Mediterranean distribution and ranges from South Italy to South England and Southern Russia. The stenotopic, hygrophilous species prefers unforested habitats alongside rivers and lakes from the planar to the montane zone. Most beetles are found during spring and during flooding under stones. Their habitat is subterranean, mostly soil with permanent crevices and holes. In Germany, A. depressum only occurs in the southwest and is regarded as critically endangered (RL 1). (CB)
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04.09.2020
Deleaster dichrous (Grav., 1802)
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19
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The 6.5 to 8.5 large rove beetle Deleaster dichrous (family Staphylinidae) is the only representative of the genus Deleaster in Germany. Contrary to many other rove beetles, the stenotopic, ripicolous species is easily recognized by the habitus and its conspicuous coloration with black head and abdomen, red pronotum and orange elytra. It is widespread in the western Palearctic and has been introduced to the northeast coast of North America. Deleaster dichrous lives on sandy riverbanks and lakeshores, mainly on the wet sand, under stones and rubble, in detritus and occasionally on the lower vegetation. The nocturnal animals swarm during dusk and are regularly attracted to light. In Germany, recent records are known from virtually all Federal States and Deleaster dichrous is regarded as not endangered. (CB)
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22.11.2019
Tachyusa balteata (Er., 1839)
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22
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Due to its conspicuous coloration, the 2.8 to 3.2 mm large rove beetle Tachyusa balteata (family Staphylinidae) is the representative easiest to determine among the seven species of the genus in Germany. The stenotopic, ripicolous species lives on natural or semi-natural banks of flowing waters on sandy or pebbly ground. With their long legs they move swiftly on their substrate. Tachyusa balteata is known to occur in Central and Southern Europe. In Germany it is found in the southern half of the country and reaches the northern border of its territory in Rhineland, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony. It prefers montane habitats, although records from the lowlands exist as well. Due to loss of habitats by river training and pollution Tachyusa balteata is regarded as vulnerable (RL 3) in Germany. (CB)
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20.09.2019
Ocypus fulvipennis Er., 1840
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20
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The 12 to 14 mm large rove beetle Ocypus fulvipennis (family Staphylinidae) is one of those representatives of the currently 19 species of the genus in Germany, which is only occasionally recorded. Ocypus fulvipennis is known to occur from Western Europe (without Spain), over the British Isles and Scandinavia to Eastern Siberia. In Germany there are no records from the northern Federal States. Like to other representatives of the genus, Ocypus fulvipennis is carnivorous and preys on various other insects. The thermophilic and xerophilic species can be found on warm mountain slopes, calcareous grassland, dry edges of forests, ruderal sites and secondary dry grassland, often under stones or moss. In Germany, Ocypus fulvipennis is regarded as not endangered. (CB)
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08.06.2018
Bledius talpa (Gyll., 1810)
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26
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The rove beetle Bledius talpa (family Staphylinidae) is one of the rarest representatives of the genus Bledius, which comprises more than 40 species in Germany. Recent records of Bledius talpa are only known from Württemberg. In Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia the species is deemed to be lost or extinct (latest discoveries made before 1950); from all other Federal States of Germany there are no records at all. The stenotopic beetle prefers areas without any vegetation on sandy brooksides, riverbanks and lakeshores. On such locations the 4.5 to 5 mm large, black beetle with its shiny blue elytra can be observed occasionally, but most of the time the beetles hide in den sand during the day. In Germany, the species is regarded as endangered (RL 2). (KR)
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03.03.2017
Zyras collaris (Payk., 1800)
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10
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The 4 to 5 mm large rove beetle Zyras collaris (family Staphylinidae) is one of eleven representatives of the genus in Germany. Worldwide, the genus in the wider sense comprises more than 800 species. Zyras collaris is known to occur in entire Central and Northern Europe (without the far North). In the south it reaches Northeast Spain, in the east the Caucasus. Additionally, there are records known from Algeria. The stenotopic, hygrophilous and paludicolous species can be found on wet meadows and on the swampy edges of water bodies, preferably in wet spots, mostly associated with ants, but also in detritus and leaf litter. In Germany, recent records of Zyras collaris are known from all regions and the species is not regarded as endangered, but becomes more rare towards the west. (CB)
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