Unarmed Stick Insect vs Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Unarmed Stick Insect | Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clitarchus tepaki | Paederus amazonicus |
| Order | Phasmatodea | Coleoptera |
| Family | Phasmatidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 6-9 cm | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | New Zealand (Northland) | Amazon Basin, tropical South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Unarmed Stick Insect
A smooth-bodied stick insect endemic to the far north of New Zealand. It is slimmer than its relative Clitarchus hookeri.
Did You Know?
It is restricted to the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island around Cape Reinga.
Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle
A brightly colored Amazonian rove beetle with orange and metallic blue markings typical of the Paederus genus. It thrives in tropical riverine habitats where it hunts small arthropods in vegetation.
Did You Know?
Amazonian indigenous peoples have long known to avoid crushing this beetle on skin, having independently discovered the dermatitis-causing properties of pederin.