Beetles are older than the dinosaurs and contain more species than any other order of insects. My current research at the University of Arizona traces the evolutionary history of the major beetle lineages using DNA sequence data, and consequently I have started paying more photographic attention to these charismatic insects. This gallery showcases some of the beetles I have recently encountered.
Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA. When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints. The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.
filename: Epicauta7
filename: Epicauta7
Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA. When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints. The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.
filename: Epicauta7
filename: Epicauta7
in this box:all images and text © Alex Wild 2008
insect pictures, insect images, insect photos, insect photography, ant images, bug pictures, bug photographs, insect identification, ant pictures
