Pictured Rove Beetle vs Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pictured Rove Beetle | Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus littoralis | Pepsis fabricius |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 7-10mm | 35-55 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay) |
| 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.
Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp
A large metallic blue-black spider wasp with bright orange wings that hunts tarantulas as food for its larvae. The female paralyzes a tarantula with her sting, then drags it to a burrow where a single egg is laid on the spider. The larva consumes the still-living spider from the inside.
Did You Know?
Its sting is rated among the most painful of all insect stings, scoring a 4 out of 4 on the Schmidt Pain Index.