Oil beetle
genus of beetles
The oil beetle (or Meloe) is a blister beetle genus. They are called "oil beetles" because they release oily droplets of hemolymph when disturbed.[1]
The liquid is a poisonous chemical that causes skin blistering and painful swelling.
Members of this genus do not have wings. They have shortened elytra.
References
change- ↑ "Oil Beetles". BugGuide. Retrieved Feb 20, 2017.
