Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Paederus Rove Beetle
Paederus sp.
18.8969, -96.9978
Field Notes
Description:
These are terrible pictures, but the only ones I got, of the prettiest Rove Beetle I've ever seen in Mexico (Family Staphylinidae). It was about 8 mm long, metallic green and orange. It may be pretty, but it's colors warn of danger with good reason. Although predators, they do not bite or sting humans but can cause a severe contact dermatitis.
Habitat:
Hunting in the wet sand along the shore of the river. Ravine of Corazon del Fortin, Fortin de Las Flores.
Notes:
There are hundreds of species in this genus with a world-wide distribution. Many species are responsible for a long-lasting, contact dermatitis caused by exposure to the crushed beetle's hemolymph. This contains the chemical paederin produced by a bio-symbiont living inside the beetle and is believed to be a species of Pseudomonas. This article describes the dermatitis and gives additonal information on these beetles.
http://www.jcadonline.com/paederus-dermatitis-an-outbreak-on-a-medical-…
Comments (4)