PcHiNg: Charlie~

Common Name : Rove Beetle
Scientific Name :Class : Insecta
Order : Coleoptera
Family : Staphylinidae
Species : Paederus fuscipes Curtis
Malay Names : Semut Semai, Semut Kayap, Charlie etc.

The rove beetles are a large family (Staphylinidae) of beetles, primarily distinguished by their short elytra that leave more than half of their abdomens exposed. With over 46,000 species in thousands of genera, the group is the second largest family of beetles after the Curculionidae (the true weevils). It is an ancient group, with fossil rove beetles known from the Triassic, 200 million years ago.The poison of this insect is 12 times more poisonous than Cobra snake and it is called ‘pederin’ (chemical formula: C24 H43 O9 N). If you see one of these on your arm or body, do not hit it, rather blow it away and wash it with water and soap immediately (and your hands also). The insect does not bite normally but its body is poisonous.

The Rove Beetle is less than 1 cm long. The body is dark orange and the tip of the abdomen, the upper abdomen and the head are black. The upper middle iridescent greenish regions of the abdomen are the hard wings (elytra). A pair of transparent wings are neatly folded and hidden under the hard wings. During daytime, the beetle will be seen crawling around swiftly with hidden wings resembling ants. When disturbed it raises the abdomen in a threatening gesture like a scorpion and can fly away. It can also run on water swiftly!

when threatened on land

running on water

ready to fly

The beetle has been observed in the paddy fields (since 1919), school fields - within the grass etc. It is carnivorous and eats smaller insects. Thus it plays an important role as a biological control of ‘paddy pests’. During heavy rains/ floods, the beetle may migrate to drier areas.

Advise

Since the beetle is attracted to lights at night, switch off or minimise the lighting and close doors/ windows during the beetle epidemic. Use fine mosquito netting, aerosol insect spray, glue traps etc. Do not sit near lights, do not smash the beetle on the body, just blow it away ! If there is contact with the beetle, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water. Those who suffer severe skin reactions should seek medical attention.

If you hit this beetle, the poison will spread on your body and your hands get poisoned. After that wherever you touch (on your body) will be affected. The poison will remain in the injured sections, so if you touch the injuries later and touch other areas (in case your skin is sensitive) the other areas will be also effected.