Paederus Rove Beetle

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-derma...