Blister Beetle

by Jacki
(Grand Forks, B.C. Canada)

Once you see these, you'll never forget them - if you touch them you'll learn first hand why they're called Blister Beetles. They can give you or your pet a nasty burn, so take care if you're growing alfalfa or potatoes, two of their favorite plants to hang out on.

Unfortunately they will also get baled in with alfalfa hay and - you guessed it - the horses or other animals who eat the hay are just as prone to the blistering effect.

As a benefit - if you can call it that - they will predate grasshopper larvae. This is a good thing in dry hot summers.

This is not enough of a pro for me - they also hitch a ride on the backs of pollinating bees, right to the hive, where they proceed to predate the larvae of bees too!

I kill them whenever I see them, just to stay ahead of them.