Categories

Blister Beetle
Hi bugman,
I found this guy swimming in my pool today with my kids. His colors were so beautiful and vibrant that I had to figure out what he was. I have been in Arizona my entire life and have never seen a beetle like this. Of course the kids freaked and demanded that I kill right away. I instead gently swept the guy out the water and let him dry off. He was a very good and let me snap more 20 pictures. I have attached the better ones. I started googling for +beetle "red head" "yellow wings" "black spots" and some other variations and viola, I got to your site. However, I scared to learn that this bug is actually poisonous. Can it hurt my dog or cat? Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
Thank you for sending in your great photos of an Iron Cross Blister Beetle, Tegrodera latecincta. Blister Beetles contain a chemical, cantharidin, which can cause blisters on human skin. It is more of an irritant than a dangerous poison. In Arizona, scorpions, black widows and rattlesnakes are a greater threat to you and your pets. In the scheme of things, an unfortunate encounter with a Blister Beetle would be an inconvenience.

Related Posts

1. Iron Cross Blister Beetles Mating (April 20, 2008)
2. Iron Cross Blister Beetle (May 12, 2005)
3. Iron Cross Blister Beetle (March 26, 2006)
4. Iron Cross Blister Beetle (May 10, 2006)
5. Iron Cross Blister Beetle falls into swimming pool (April 19, 2009)