Large Tropical Rove Beetle vs African Giant Water Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Tropical Rove Beetle | African Giant Water Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hesperus rufipennis | Lethocerus cordofanus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Belostomatidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 60-85 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | West Africa, Central Africa | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Tropical Rove Beetle
A large, impressive tropical rove beetle with red elytra and a black head and pronotum. It is one of the larger staphylinids in the African tropical forest fauna.
Did You Know?
This beetle can deliver a painful bite with its powerful mandibles if handled carelessly, one of the few rove beetles capable of breaking human skin.
African Giant Water Bug
A massive aquatic predatory bug with powerful raptorial forelegs for catching prey. It can grow to over 80 mm and is one of the largest insects found in East African freshwater habitats.
Did You Know?
It can deliver an extremely painful bite with its piercing-sucking mouthparts, injecting enzymes that liquefy prey tissues for consumption.