Subject: What is this bug?
Location: Albuquerque, NM
October 10, 2012 8:32 am
Nearly an inch long, huge abdomen dragging in the dirt behind it, glossy black body with vivid red stripes.
The photos were taken with an iPhone and a little macro lens so my ability to capture a decent image is hindered by the equipment. sorry about the third photo in particular.
Taken October 9, 2012 at around noon mountain time, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute Campus, Albuquerque, NM.
Signature: fethan
Dear fethan,
This is a Blister Beetle in the genus Megetra. They can be found in the Chihuahua desert region of Mexico, New Mexico and parts of Texas and Arizona.
Daniel,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I gather from the archived posts that i should avoid touching this type of beetle or suffer its namesake. Thanks again.
fethan
Yes, avoid handling.