Paederus
Guides
Paederus obliteratus
Paederus obliteratus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1878. It is one of many Paederus species known for containing pederin, a toxic compound in their hemolymph that can cause dermatitis and blistering when contacting human skin. The species occurs across eastern and southern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory beetle found in various terrestrial habitats.