Rove beetles comprise the largest family of Coleoptera, and are found in nearly every terrestrial environment. These beetles are recognizable by the elongate body and shortened elytra that leave most of the abdominal segments exposed. The majority of species are predacious upon small arthropods.

For identification of rove beetles of eastern Canada and the adjacent United States please see:
Brunke, A., Newton, A., Klimaszewski, J., Majka, C., and Marshall, S.A. 2011. Staphylinidae of Eastern Canada and Adjacent United States: Key to Subfamilies; Staphylininae: Tribes and Subtribes, and Species of Staphylinina. Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification, 12. doi: 10:3752/cjai.2011.12. Available from http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/ejournal/bnkmm_12/bnkmm_12.html