Red and Black Rove Beetle vs Claassenia Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

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

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Did You Know?

Crushing this beetle on skin causes painful blistering dermatitis known as Paederus dermatitis.

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.