Beetle - Blister, Nemognatha sp 1d (Skidaway Island GA)
Sometimes bugs are colorful for a reason ...
Turns out, this one's bright color is to warn you to stay away. It is a Blister Beetle, meaning it produces a highly toxic substance which will, at minimum blister your skin, and could do worse.
But there's more to this one's story - pay attention if you're a (Solitary) Bee or Bee lover ...
This beetle feeds on the nectar of flowers, and lays its eggs there (coated with the toxic secret sauce which keeps others from messing with it). Eggs hatch, larvae attach themselves to Bees visiting the same flower. The Bee takes the larvae back its nest, where it parasitizes the Solitary Bee larvae.
Moral of the story: Watch Your Step !!!
One more feature of this Beetle is the extremely long mouth part (see picture 1d for closeup). This is quite rare for a Beetle, most don't have anything like this.
ID generously confirmed on BugGuide: bugguide.net/node/view/659960
None previously listed in Data for Georgia, so there is now. How bout that Fitz!
May 25, 2012
Sparrow Field, Skidaway Island
Chatham County, Georgia
Beetle - Blister, Nemognatha sp 1d (Skidaway Island GA)
Sometimes bugs are colorful for a reason ...
Turns out, this one's bright color is to warn you to stay away. It is a Blister Beetle, meaning it produces a highly toxic substance which will, at minimum blister your skin, and could do worse.
But there's more to this one's story - pay attention if you're a (Solitary) Bee or Bee lover ...
This beetle feeds on the nectar of flowers, and lays its eggs there (coated with the toxic secret sauce which keeps others from messing with it). Eggs hatch, larvae attach themselves to Bees visiting the same flower. The Bee takes the larvae back its nest, where it parasitizes the Solitary Bee larvae.
Moral of the story: Watch Your Step !!!
One more feature of this Beetle is the extremely long mouth part (see picture 1d for closeup). This is quite rare for a Beetle, most don't have anything like this.
ID generously confirmed on BugGuide: bugguide.net/node/view/659960
None previously listed in Data for Georgia, so there is now. How bout that Fitz!
May 25, 2012
Sparrow Field, Skidaway Island
Chatham County, Georgia