Red and Black Rove Beetle vs African Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red and Black Rove Beetle | African Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus riparius | Mylabris oculata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 15-30 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red and Black Rove Beetle
A small but notorious rove beetle with a red thorax and abdomen and blue-black elytra. Its hemolymph contains pederin, a potent blistering toxin.
Did You Know?
Crushing this beetle on skin causes painful blistering dermatitis known as Paederus dermatitis.
African Blister Beetle
A conspicuous beetle with orange-red and black banded elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent toxin that can cause severe skin blistering on contact.
Did You Know?
Its cantharidin is so toxic that even a small amount can kill a horse if ingested with contaminated hay or alfalfa.