Melo angusticollis

Meloe angusticollis is a short-winged blister beetle, also known as an oil beetle. When disturbed, the adult releases oily droplets of hemolymph from its body to repel potential predators. In the photograph, you can see the oily droplets exuding from the beetle. The larva is a parasite of bee larvae.

Order: Coleoptera
Family: Meloidae
Species: Meloe angusticollis

Photograph: © 2010 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 16 May 2010
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co.

 

Meloe angusticollis

© 2016 RKD Peterson