Bee Killer Assassin Bug vs Pictured Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bee Killer Assassin Bug Pictured Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Apiomerus crassipes Paederus littoralis
Order Hemiptera Coleoptera
Family Reduviidae Staphylinidae
Size 12-18 mm 7-10mm
Habitat Heathland Wetlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bee Killer Assassin Bug

An assassin bug that coats its legs with plant resin to capture bees visiting flowers.

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Did You Know?

It applies sticky resin from plants to its forelegs like a trapping glue.

Pictured Rove Beetle

A slender black and orange rove beetle with short elytra exposing most of its abdomen. It contains the toxin pederin which causes severe skin blisters.

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Did You Know?

Pederin produced by symbiotic bacteria in the beetle is more potent drop for drop than cobra venom but is only released when the beetle is crushed on skin.