Bug Identifier
False Blister Beetle
Community identification

False Blister Beetle

Likely Oxycopis sp. (genus within Oedemeridae)

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera, Family: Oedemeridae
Size
Typically 5-20 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in wooded areas, gardens, and meadows where host plants and decaying wood are present.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae are predatory, feeding on other insect larvae and pupae in decaying wood or soil.

Behavior Patterns

Day-active; larvae are predatory and live in decaying wood or soil; adults are often found on flowers.

Risks & Benefits

Potential Risks: Some species contain cantharidin, which can cause skin irritation or blistering upon contact, similar to true blister beetles. Ingestion can be toxic. Potential Benefits: Larvae can help in decomposition by feeding on organisms in decaying wood; adults may contribute to pollination.