Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle vs Owl Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Whip-scorpion Rove Beetle Owl Butterfly
Scientific Name Paederus amazonicus Caligo memnon
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Staphylinidae Nymphalidae
Size 7-9 mm Wingspan 120-160mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Amazon Basin, tropical South America South America, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Owl Butterfly

A very large tropical butterfly with enormous owl-eye patterns on the underside of its hindwings. The uppersides are deep blue-purple.

💡

Did You Know?

The large eyespots on its underwings closely resemble the face of a screech owl which startles would-be predators.