Other Common Names
Desert Blister Beetle, Inflated Beetle
(1)Identification
The inflated and connate elytra separate this genus from all other meloids of our fauna
(2)
C. armatus: Pronotum distinctly spinose laterally, disc abruptly declivous posteriorly; elytral reticula larger; legs of both sexes lacking tarsal pads; head moderately coarsely punctate, punctures moderately dense and ill-defined; dorsum black, often with a slight metallic tint and white to yellow-brown incrustation. Colorado & Mojave deserts.
C. wizlizenii: Pronotum angulate (at most tuberculate) laterally, never spinose, disc only slightly declivous posteriorly; elytral reticula smaller, more numerous; male pro- and mesotarsomeres I & II with heavy tarsal pads; head with coarse, dense punctures; dorsum shining, deep metallic blue/green/violet, lacking incrustation. Chihuahuan Desert.
Range
sw. US: Colorado, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts
(2)