Vesicant
Guides
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.