Rove beetle

Found in diverse environments including leaf litter, soil, decaying organic matter, under stones, and around water margins.

Mostly predatory, feeding on other insects and soil-dwelling invertebrates; some species eat fungal spores or decaying matter.

Characterized by short elytra (wing covers) that leave most abdominal segments exposed. They are agile runners and can tuck their wings under the short covers. Many species arch their abdomen upward like a scorpion when threatened.

Beneficial as natural pest control in gardens and agriculture. Some genera, like Paederus, can cause skin irritation (dermatitis) if crushed against the skin due to pederin toxin, but most are harmless to humans.