Ant-mimicking blister beetle

Typically found in arid and semi-arid regions, often on or near host plants of larvae, which include various native plants.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar from flowers, particularly composites (family Asteraceae). Larvae are parasitic, feeding on the eggs, larvae, and stored food of ground-nesting bees (e.g., in the families Andrenidae, Halictidae).

Adults are active during the day, often seen on flowers. The larvae have a distinctive hypermetamorphic life cycle, meaning they have different forms at different larval stages. The first instar larva (triungulin) is mobile and searches for a host bee nest. Once inside, it parasitizes bee brood cells.

Risks: Like other blister beetles, they can produce cantharidin, a defensive chemical that can cause blistering if squashed or handled, potentially harmful to humans and livestock if ingested. Benefits: As parasitoids of ground-nesting bees, they play a role in regulating bee populations. Adults contribute to pollination through their feeding on nectar and pollen.