margined blister beetle (Epicauta funebris) at Ludwig Prairie Preserve IA 653A8040
A few days ago I posted a black blister beetle photo, and that species was solid black. This margined blister beetle has a light gray margin around its elytra. Both blister beetle species lay their eggs near grasshopper egg pods and the larvae eat the grasshopper eggs upon hatching. Margined blister beetle larvae spend the winter frozen in the soil before thawing out in springtime when they pupate and then emerge as adults now when grasshopper eggs are abundant in the soil. This margined blister beetle would be bad news to bother and pick up as your skin would quickly be burned by a potent fluid filled with chemicals that cause blisters. This hungry adult is likely hoping to finds some virgin's bower flowers to feed on.
margined blister beetle (Epicauta funebris) at Ludwig Prairie Preserve IA 653A8040
A few days ago I posted a black blister beetle photo, and that species was solid black. This margined blister beetle has a light gray margin around its elytra. Both blister beetle species lay their eggs near grasshopper egg pods and the larvae eat the grasshopper eggs upon hatching. Margined blister beetle larvae spend the winter frozen in the soil before thawing out in springtime when they pupate and then emerge as adults now when grasshopper eggs are abundant in the soil. This margined blister beetle would be bad news to bother and pick up as your skin would quickly be burned by a potent fluid filled with chemicals that cause blisters. This hungry adult is likely hoping to finds some virgin's bower flowers to feed on.