Comments for
Big black bug with Orange bumps on head (Blister beetle)

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Blister beetle
by: Moni

JudyNV
Your beetle is probably Lytta vulnerata...no common name, tho it is one of the beetles in the blister beetle family Meloidae. Since it has black legs then that is the species I think it has to be.
The adults do eat foliage, flowers, pollen, and fruit, bugguide says in the east they prefer to feed on plants of the family Rosaceae.
My guess is yours is feeding on goldenrod...but not sure. It does not matter for ID. Other angles would have been nice but I found the ID finally!
The larvae of this beetle live in bee nests.

Diversity is greatest of this family in the west. All the blister beetles body fluid contains
cantharidin which will cause blisters if it comes in contact with the skin. Ingestion by humans or animals can be fatal.

Cool find! Glad you submitted it! It is a new species for me to ID. Thanks

Looks like the plant is called rabbitbush...not goldenrod. There are several kinds found out in your area.
Blister beetle
by: Moni

JudyNV
Your beetle is probably Lytta vulnerata...no common name, tho it is one of the beetles in the blister beetle family Meloidae. Since it has black legs then that is the species I think it has to be.
The adults do eat foliage, flowers, pollen, and fruit, bugguide says in the east they prefer to feed on plants of the family Rosaceae.
My guess is yours is feeding on goldenrod...but not sure. It does not matter for ID. Other angles would have been nice but I found the ID finally!
The larvae of this beetle live in bee nests.

Diversity is greatest of this family in the west. All the blister beetles body fluid contains cantharidin which will cause blisters if it comes in contact with the skin. Ingestion by humans or animals can be fatal.

Cool find! Glad you submitted it! It is a new species for me to ID. Thanks

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