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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles (Polyphaga) » Fungus, Bark, Darkling and Blister Beetles (Tenebrionoidea) » Blister Beetles (Meloidae) » Desert Spider Beetles (Cysteodemus) » Inflated Beetle (Cysteodemus armatus)
Photo#14856
Spider beetle - Cysteodemus armatus
Copyright © 2005 p. roullard

Spider beetle - Cysteodemus armatus
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Coyote Creek, San Diego County, California, USA
April 8, 2005
Size: 3/4"
This beetle is in the blister beetle family. There is some variation in color of these beetles. Sometimes the abdomen appears to be blacker in some individuals. They are typically found in desert areas.
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Contributed by p. roullard on 13 April, 2005 - 10:06am
Last updated 3 December, 2005 - 7:02pm

Meloidae
This is actually a Blister Beetle - not familiar enough with the western fauna to say which.
… Phillip Harpootlian, 13 April, 2005 - 10:24am login or register to post comments

 
spider beetle
True they are in the Meloidae as I found out in California insects this morning. They are called spider beetles because of the inflated abdomen and small head similar to a spider.
… p. roullard, 13 April, 2005 - 10:52am login or register to post comments

 
spider beetle family
The Ptininae, a world-wide subfamily of Anobiidae, are known widely spider beetles, hence the raised eyebrow. I'm guessing the term's application to your beetle is only regional, since the species is not widespread.
… Jim McClarin, 21 May, 2005 - 5:58pm login or register to post comments

 
looks good
Apparently, only a couple of species here - don't have key, so will add genus page only for now. Good shot.
… Phillip Harpootlian, 13 April, 2005 - 11:34am login or register to post comments

 
Cysteodemus spp.
Phillip,

I don't believe these spp. are sympatric.

Cysteodemus armatus LeConte - California, mostly white
Cysteodemus wislizeni LeConte - Texas to Arizona, mostly dark

MQ, Austin

Texas Beetle Info
TexasEnto.net/beetles.htm
… Mike Quinn, 26 December, 2005 - 11:26am login or register to post comments

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