female blister beetle

5860  Taken in backyard London Ontario Canada today.  Nov 10 2016 at about 1 pm.  Joanne

This is a female blister beetle (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in the genus Meloe; beetles in this genus often are called oil beetles because of the oily fluid they exude from their joints when they are handled roughly. This fluid contains cantharidin, a chemical that can cause blistering on tender skin. See http://tinyurl.com/z5tg72eor more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.