Genus Tegrodera - Iron Cross Blister Beetle

Classification · Other Common Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Food · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Iron Cross Blister Beetle - Tegrodera latecincta

Red head, black body, yellow dotted markings on back - Tegrodera aloga

Iron Cross Beetles Scramble for Last Bit of Edible Green - Tegrodera aloga - male - female

Iron Cross Blister Beetle - Tegrodera erosa

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Tenebrionoidea (Fungus, Bark, Darkling and Blister Beetles)

Family Meloidae (Blister Beetles)

Subfamily Meloinae

Genus Tegrodera (Iron Cross Blister Beetle)

Other Common Names

Soldier Blister Beetle

Numbers

Nearctica.com lists three species for North America.

Size

15-30 mm

Identification

Large blister beetles, head red, body, elytra black with raised yellow lines.

Food

In the lower Sonoran desert, T. algoa feeds on spring blossoms of Nama hispidum and Eriastrum. (1)

Print References

Werner, p. 122 (1)

Powell and Hogue, fig. 380, pp. 294-295 (2)

Internet References

Paper on Systematics of Meloidae, has image of Tegrodera mating.

T. aloga--image from Arizona

CalPhoto Image--T. latecincta, taken at Organ Pipe National Monument, Arizona

Works Cited

1.	Living With Insects of the Southwest: How to Identify Helpful, Harmful and Venomous Insects By Floyd G. Werner, Carl Olson

2.	California Insects By Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue

Contributed by Cotinis on 9 August, 2004 - 7:06am
Last updated 27 June, 2006 - 10:57pm

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