Blue Paederine Rove Beetle vs Eyed Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Paederine Rove Beetle | Eyed Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus balcanicus | Smerinthus ocellatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 70-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Balkans, Turkey, Middle East | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Paederine Rove Beetle
A colorful Paederus rove beetle with metallic blue elytra and an orange thorax, found in southeastern Europe. Like all Paederus, it contains the blistering agent pederin in its body fluids.
Did You Know?
In Turkey and the Middle East, outbreaks of this species near villages can cause hundreds of dermatitis cases in a single season.
Eyed Hawk-moth
A large hawk-moth with cryptic brown forewings that conceal vivid blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When startled, it flashes its eyespots to frighten predators.
Did You Know?
The flash of its eyespots has been shown experimentally to startle birds into abandoning their attack.