Blue Paederine Rove Beetle vs Flower Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Paederine Rove Beetle | Flower Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus balcanicus | Cerceris rybyensis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Balkans, Turkey, Middle East | Europe |
| 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.
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.