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Details of the Black Blister Beetle
CHARACTERISTICS: Three-segmented body made up of mostly black with reddish-brown legs. Head is slightly larger than second segment with third segment becoming the longest of the three. Antennae are relatively short and ridged. Wings folded back appear as almost part of armor-plating across the abdomen. Blister Beetles get their name by their resulting defense mechanism. When threatened, the Blister Beetle is known to play dead and excrete a toxic chemical from their joints called Cantharidin which in essence is an irritant that causes human skin to blister. Canthardin is used in some wart removal products. Blister Beetle larvae will jump onto passing bees, get transported to the bee hive and feed on eggs and larvae once there. After it pupates, the beetle then makes its way out of the nest.
ADULT SIZE (Length, not including legs):
10mm to 25mm
(0.39in to 0.98in) (Compare Size)
IDENTIFYING COLORS: black; red; brown
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| Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana |
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Courtesy of Jose E
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Kingdom: Animalia
