Rove Beetle

beetles · tiny hunters · ancient insects · diversity

Huge bug family. Rove beetles are one of the largest families of animals on the planet, with over 68,000 different species. That is more types of rove beetles than there are types of mammals, fish, and birds combined.

Short wings exposed. Rove beetles have much shorter wing covers than other beetles, which leaves more than half of their belly segments showing. This stubby wing look is what makes them different from all other beetles.

Ancient survivors. Rove beetles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, first appearing during the Middle Jurassic period millions of years ago. They have stuck around through all kinds of changes on Earth.

Super speedy hunters. These beetles are quick and active predators that zoom around looking for tiny prey like insects and other small creatures. They are found almost everywhere on land where there are plants and soil.