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Black Blister Beetle

Epicauta pennsylvanica

Photo by Brian38
Published on Project Noah
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46.9245, -120.843

Field Notes

Description:

All black slender beetle. I was surprised to find them this early in the year. This is a mating pair. The female is the larger one and she will drag the male around as she feeds.

Habitat:

Spotted on lupines in eastern Washington. Cascade foothills.

Reference Links:

Species Epicauta pennsylvanica - Black Blister Beetle - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Brian38
Thanks for commenting puckett.llewellyn.I'm not sure why they're on lupine. Maybe for pollen or nectar. According to BugGuide, they are associated with Asteraceae, such as goldenrods and asters.
Brian38
Thanks much, Neil. I wish now that I had made a video of them.
Neil Ross
Wonderful spotting, Brian. And I love their feeding etiquette. I'm sure I've seen humans engaging in the same practice!

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJune 10, 2020

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