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Oil Beetles
Oil beetle (Meloe strigulosus) - Contra Costa County, California, USA
A mating pair of oil beetles, slow and flightless they rely on noxious secretions to protect themselves. Their larvae will hatch, climb onto vegetation forming and aggregation of dozens to 100s of individuals and release pheromones to attract a male of a particular solitary bee species who will try to mate with them. When he does so, he will become covered with the larvae who will hold onto him until he mates with female at which point they will switch hosts. They will ride back with the female to her burrow where they will eat the stored food that the female bee has for her offspring, they will also probably eat her larvae and eggs. Horrible house guests.
Oil Beetles
Oil beetle (Meloe strigulosus) - Contra Costa County, California, USA
A mating pair of oil beetles, slow and flightless they rely on noxious secretions to protect themselves. Their larvae will hatch, climb onto vegetation forming and aggregation of dozens to 100s of individuals and release pheromones to attract a male of a particular solitary bee species who will try to mate with them. When he does so, he will become covered with the larvae who will hold onto him until he mates with female at which point they will switch hosts. They will ride back with the female to her burrow where they will eat the stored food that the female bee has for her offspring, they will also probably eat her larvae and eggs. Horrible house guests.