Velleius dilatatus
Hornets beetle
The Hornets beetle or hornet rove beetles ( Velleius dilatatus ) is a beetle of the family of rove beetles ( Staphylinidae ).
The up to 26 mm long beetle lives in all stages of development in the waste pile at hornets nests. It feeds on the food remnants of the Hornets, but also of dead hornets and fly larvae, which develop in the waste. Also, occasionally falling hornets larvae are eaten. He is thus a commensal (flatmates) with hornets. The nest itself it will not be tolerated.
The beetles are shy and hide themselves immediately in light and other disorders. Their number depends on the size of the waste pile and moves on average in the order of ten. If beetles taken quickly move to new, suggesting a strong sense of smell. We do have some rival fights.
Hornets beetles are dependent in a manner not yet understood of the hornets. Middens from other sources they leave or die there, even though numerous maggots are available there. However, this applies only for Europe. In Asia, the beetle lives as roommates other wasp species, although in each habitat live hornets.
Synonyms
- Staphylinus concolor Marsham, 1802
- Staphylinus serraticornis cabinet, 1798