Pictured Rove Beetle vs Malagasy Scarab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pictured Rove Beetle Malagasy Scarab
Scientific Name Paederus littoralis Scarabaeus radama
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-10mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Wetlands Grasslands
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Madagascar
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.

Malagasy Scarab

A robust dung-rolling scarab beetle named after the Malagasy king Radama. It has a broad, rounded body with a dark metallic sheen and strong, spatulate forelegs for shaping dung balls.

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Did You Know?

It was named after King Radama I of Madagascar, symbolizing the cultural and natural heritage of the island.