Black Blister Beetle

The Black Blister Beetle, as its name suggests, can cause blistering of the human skin if the insect is agitated enough.

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Image Credit: Brenda of Texas.

Full-sized image #1 of the Black Blister Beetle

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TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Meloidae

Genus: Epicauta

Species: pennsylvanica

A Black Blister Beetle can secrete a liquid from its body that causes pain and blistering on skin. Physical contact should be avoided. The beetle is almost completely black save for a small spot of yellow on the abdomen that is usually hidden by its wing coverings. This seemingly plain beetle's body may have a blue sheen in certain light. It is often seen on grass or on plants in the summer, minding its own business, and is best left alone.©BeetleIdentification.org

The Black Blister Beetle is typically 0.2 inches to 0.7 inches (7mm to 18mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: black; hard; shell; blister; blistering; antenna; winged; flying; yellow.

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Yellow

Black

Beetle Anatomy

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Black Blister Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Newfoundland and Labrador

Similar Beetles

Similar beetles to the Black Blister Beetle that are associated with or commonly mistaken for...

Blister Beetle

American Oil Beetle

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