- Short elytra
- More than 4 abdominal tergites visible
Rove beetles vary in size but do not grow longer than one inch. They are characterized by hiding their hind wings under elytra when they are not in flight. The abdomen is divided up into four tergites allowing their body to seem slender and elongate. These tergites are covered with small hairs. Similar to Silphidae, rove beetles can be observed feeding on the decaying bodies of small mammals. They also use their long and sharp mandibles to feed on various insects such as maggots and aphids. Although smaller in size, the larvae in this family act and feed as the adults.