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Photo#389283
DEATH VALLEY BEETLE - Phodaga alticeps

DEATH VALLEY BEETLE - Phodaga alticeps
Death Valley, Kern County, California, USA
April 11, 2010
Size: 1.5"
Found this beetle running around Death Valley in the early afternoon. Looked like a common Stink Bug, but when approached it shot its wings up and exposed bright red markings on its sides, arched its rear end up and ran very fast.

Images of this individual: tag all
DEATH VALLEY BEETLE - Phodaga alticeps DEATH VALLEY BEETLE - Phodaga alticeps DEATH VALLEY BEETLE - Phodaga alticeps

Location info error?
Ross, regarding the location info you provided above, which are you more certain of: "Death Valley" or "Kern County"?

No portion of Death Valley lies within Kern County. Death Valley proper lies within Inyo County, with a small southern portion of Death Valley National Park spilling into northern San Bernardino County.

unique behaviour; i learned about this meloid a few days ago
Moved from ID Request.

 
Death Valley bug
Thank you very much! Does this insect fly or bite?

 
Yes, no, but....
Yes, I think it can probably fly. No, it doesn't bite. BUT, blister beetles are called that for a reason. Squeeze one and it will ooze an incredibly potent liquid chemical (cantharidin), that can raise painful, scarring blisters on sensitive skin. Handle with care:-)

 
I think that is the bug that attacked me in 1976
I lived in Lancaster CA, and I was on a school field trip to Death Valley (1976). We were hiking a trail and a bug/insect that looked very similar landed on the inside of my left forearm and started crawling towards my wrist while vibrating it's abdomen against my skin as it went. I felt a burning sensation and I swatted it away. However it left a very sore red stripe about 3 inches long and 1/4 inch wide (where it had vibrated its abdomen). The pain was accute for a couple hours and dull for a few days, but the red stripe lasted a little over 6 years. I've never seen anything like it since... Until now... Seems like I remember it having more of a red "X" on it's back... could have been a "V" or a diamond tho... I was only 6 or 7 years old at the time.

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