Pictured Rove Beetle vs Claassenia Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pictured Rove Beetle Claassenia Stonefly
Scientific Name Paederus littoralis Claassenia sabulosa
Order Coleoptera Plecoptera
Family Staphylinidae Perlidae
Size 7-10mm 25-40 mm
Habitat Wetlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Western North America
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.

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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.

Claassenia Stonefly

A large predatory stonefly with a mottled yellow and brown pattern. The nymphs are active nocturnal hunters that roam the stream bed seeking prey.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs often crawl out of the water at night to hunt, making them vulnerable to bats and spiders.