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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Tenebrionoidea » Blister Beetles (Meloidae) » Meloinae » Oil Beetles (Meloe) » subgenus Meloe (Meloe subgenus Meloe) » Buttercup Oil Beetle (Meloe americanus)
Photo#1047337
Meloe species? Or how I learnt not to trifle with them. - Meloe americanus - female
Copyright © 2015 William Donald Newton

Meloe species? Or how I learnt not to trifle with them. - Meloe americanus - Female
North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA
March 16, 2015
I decided it would be "cool" to bring her to hand and get some details. Note the amber droplets exuded from her "knees".

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Meloe species? Or how I learnt not to trifle with them. - Meloe americanus - female Meloe species? Or how I learnt not to trifle with them. - Meloe americanus - female Meloe species? Or how I learnt not to trifle with them. - Meloe americanus - female
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Contributed by William Donald Newton on 16 March, 2015 - 9:09pm
Last updated 18 March, 2015 - 5:46pm

Moved
Moved from Oil Beetles.
… v belov, 18 March, 2015 - 5:46pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request. You were wise to wash your hands. The oily exudate contains cantharidins - skin irritants. For interesting reading on the life cycle of these creatures, and how their larvae infest bee nests, check out the 'info' section under Meloe.
… Joe, 16 March, 2015 - 9:37pm login or register to post comments

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