Pictured Rove Beetle vs Balloon Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pictured Rove Beetle | Balloon Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus littoralis | Hilara maura |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Empididae |
| Size | 7-10mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Balloon Dance Fly
A dance fly famous for its elaborate mating ritual in which males present silk-wrapped prey gifts to females. Males spin a silk balloon around a captured insect before offering it during aerial mating swarms.
Did You Know?
Males that wrap their prey gifts in the most elaborate silk balloons are preferred by females during mating dances.