Beach rove beetles
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Beach rove beetle, genus Cafius
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cafius
- Family
- Staphylinidae
- Super Family
- Staphylinoidea
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Number of Species
- 2,500
-
- Size Range
- 1 cm
Introduction
Over 2,500 species of rove beetle live in Australia.
Identification
Rove beetles are recognised by their short wing cases, allowing them to curl their abdomen up in order to project poisons from their tail end.
Habitat
Rove beetles are often found in intertidal areas.
Distribution
Rove beetles are found in coastal areas of Australia.
Feeding and diet
Beach rove beetles are specialised predators of fly maggots in rotting sea urchins, muttonbirds and seaweed. Other rove beetles also feed on small invertebrates and fungi.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Larger rove beetles are aggressive when handled and repeatedly try to bite the handler. However, most are small and live their lives hidden in leaf litter or under bark
