Ash-gray Blister Beetle

Gardens, agricultural fields, meadows, and areas where host plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, and beans grow.

Adults feed on foliage, flowers, and stems of various crops and weeds (especially Solanaceae family). Larvae are beneficial predators of grasshopper eggs.

Adults often congregate in large numbers and can rapidly defoliate plants. They exhibit defensive behavior by releasing a chemical called cantharidin when disturbed, which can cause skin blistering in humans.

Risks include damaging garden crops and causing skin irritation or blisters if handled. Benefits include the larval stage acting as a natural control for grasshopper populations.