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Photo#2243118
 Buttercup Oil Beetle  - Meloe americanus

Buttercup Oil Beetle - Meloe americanus
Bristol, Bristol County, Rhode Island, USA
May 10, 2023
Size: aprox. 4.45 cm
I am preparing what was a grassy strip of lawn to be used as a flower garden. In digging up the grass, this insect came scurrying out. I moved it carefully from where it had run onto the driveway, and placed it in a shaded area on another side of the house, which has a lawn that won't be disturbed. It immediately began digging and it was amazing to see how quickly it dug down and disappeared.

Images of this individual: tag all
 Buttercup Oil Beetle  - Meloe americanus  Buttercup Oil Beetle - Meloe americanus  Buttercup Oil Beetle  - Meloe americanus  Buttercup Oil Beetle  - Meloe americanus

Moved tentatively, good call
Moved from Oil Beetles.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

 
Buttercup Oil Beetle (Meloe americanus) - Meloe
Thank you for confirming the ID. I've read more about it and learned it is one of many types of "Blister Beetles". Glad I had not touched it with bare hands!

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