Pederin
Guides
Paederinae
Tomcat
Paederinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing three tribes: Lathrobiini, Paederini, and Pinophilini. The subfamily is notable for containing the genus Paederus and related genera that produce pederin, a potent vesicant toxin in their haemolymph that causes Paederus dermatitis in humans. The subfamily exhibits diverse ecological adaptations including myrmecophily, troglobitic cave-dwelling, and intertidal lifestyles. Over 36 genera and 436 species occur in North America alone, with global distribution across multiple biogeographic regions.
Paederus grandis
Paederus grandis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Austin in 1877. The species was previously known as Paederus lecontei until Swift and Ray (2010) synonymized the two names under the older epithet grandis. It is recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California) and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it likely possesses defensive chemistry, though specific studies on this species are lacking.
Paederus iowensis
Iowa Tomcat Rove Beetle
Paederus iowensis is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as the Iowa Tomcat Rove Beetle. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it possesses specialized defensive glands containing pederin, a potent vesicant compound that can cause dermatitis upon contact with human skin. The species is native to the midwestern and northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.
Paederus littorarius
Shore Rove Beetle
Paederus littorarius is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, commonly known as the Shore Rove Beetle. Like other members of the genus Paederus, this species produces pederin, a toxic compound in its hemolymph that can cause dermatitis and blistering on human skin upon contact. The species is widely distributed across northern North America.
Paederus mexicanus
Paederus mexicanus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Erichson in 1840. The genus Paederus is notable for containing species that produce pederin, a potent vesicant compound in their hemolymph that causes dermatitis and blistering on human skin upon contact. As a member of the Paederus genus, this species likely shares this defensive chemical trait, though species-specific documentation is limited. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
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.