Pictured Rove Beetle vs Flat Bark Hister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pictured Rove Beetle | Flat Bark Hister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus littoralis | Hololepta plana |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 7-10mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Eastern 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.
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.
Flat Bark Hister Beetle
An extremely flattened, disc-like black beetle found under bark of dead trees. Its body is compressed to fit in the narrow space between bark and wood.
Did You Know?
Its body is so flat it can squeeze into gaps less than 2 mm wide to pursue prey under tight-fitting bark.