Blue Paederine Rove Beetle vs Tooth Cave Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Paederine Rove Beetle | Tooth Cave Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus balcanicus | Rhadine persephone |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 0.5-0.7 cm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Caves |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Balkans, Turkey, Middle East | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Tooth Cave Ground Beetle
A tiny eyeless ground beetle found only in a few limestone caves near Austin, Texas. It is a specialized predator of other cave invertebrates.
Did You Know?
It is completely blind and has never been found outside of the total darkness of cave systems.