Red and Black Rove Beetle vs Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red and Black Rove Beetle | Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paederus riparius | Mystrium oberthueri |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Amblyoponidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Malagasy Trap-jaw Ant
A pale yellow to amber ant with elongated mandibles that can snap shut at extreme speeds. It is closely related to M. camillae and shares the Dracula ant feeding behavior.
Did You Know?
Like other Dracula ants, workers feed by non-destructively puncturing larval skin and drinking hemolymph, a practice unique among ants.