Striped Blister Beetle

Epicauta vittata

Striped Blister Beetle
Photo by Eric Williams
The Striped Blister Beetle is just over a half inch in length.  The thorax tapers to a point at the head, making it appear that the blister beetle has a neck.  The head is highly mobile, and these insects often twist and turn their heads about.  In the picture above the beetle has turned its head around to stare into the camera.  Blister beetles are considered as both beneficial and harmful insects.  The larvae feed on grasshopper eggs (beneficial), and the adults feed on a wide range of vegetation including food crops (harmful).  
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