Oil Beetles

This genus of black beetles secrete a golden oil that causes blisters and irritation to humans as well as predators.

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Image Credit: Tim from Muskoka, ON

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Image Credit: Jared S. in North Mankato, MN

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Image Credit: Greg C. in WA

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Image Credit: Greg C. in WA

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Meloidae

Genus: Meloe

Species: spp.

The Oil Beetles is typically 0.2 inches to 0.6 inches (6mm to 16mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: black; blisters; yellow drops of oil; shiny; textured; soft; abdomen pointed; flying.

It has a typical diet of the following: nectar; plant juices (sap).

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Red

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 Oil Beetles 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

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Newfoundland and Labrador

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