Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly vs Pictured Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly | Pictured Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brennania belkini | Paederus littoralis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 1-1.5 cm | 7-10mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | United States | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly
A rare horse fly known only from the El Segundo sand dunes in Los Angeles County. Larvae develop in the sand and adults are seldom encountered.
Did You Know?
Most of the El Segundo dunes were destroyed to build Los Angeles International Airport.
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.
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.