Ant-mimicking blister beetle

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

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).

Behavior Patterns

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 & Benefits

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.

Identified on: 10/25/2025