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What’s going on?? #744614

Asked April 16, 2021, 8:48 AM EDT

I believe these are some kind of blister beetle, but I have no idea what bug is riding along or WHY?

Fairfax County Virginia

Expert Response

The large beetle is an Oil beetle, Meloe americanus and the small beetles are Fire Colored beetles, Pedilus terminalis.

I don't think that they have a biological relationship, but they are both found in the same types of habitats, i.e. on the ground near rotting organic matter. The Oil Beetle is a predator and Pedilus terminalis feeds on fungi.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 16, 2021, 10:11 AM EDT
Thanks for your quick reply and IDs!    

So, you don’t know of any purpose to the Pedilus hitching a ride/feeding/evading the predator/whatever the heck they’re doing?      

Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 16, 2021, at 10:11 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied April 16, 2021, 10:22 AM EDT

I am still researching it, I have not seen that before in 35 years as an entomologist, but I got your excellent picture and another one about 2 weeks ago. If you don't mind, I might send your picture to some other entomologists.  And yes, Oil Beetles are blister beetles, but are not as toxic as other blister beetles. I think its just coincidence that they are both there. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 16, 2021, 10:32 AM EDT

Here is some more information:

https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=13643

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 16, 2021, 10:47 AM EDT
Wow.   Weird and fascinating!   Thanks so much!


-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
To: Nancy Luehman <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Fri, Apr 16, 2021 10:47 am
Subject: Re: What’s going on?? (#0014545)

The Question Asker Replied April 16, 2021, 11:00 AM EDT

Insects never stop amazing me.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 16, 2021, 11:31 AM EDT
May I ask a different question here?     

If so, this is about cicadas    The 17 yr cicadas have exploded on our property.     They are fascinating,  but I have noticed that ~90% are deformed (usually it seems to be wing deformities) or are dead mid molt.  Its almost hard to find a strong healthy looking one heading up the trees     Is this NORMAL?  I've attached a few pictures.     

Thanks!   
Nancy 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
To: Nancy Luehman <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Fri, Apr 16, 2021 11:31 am
Subject: Re: What’s going on?? (#0014545)
The Question Asker Replied May 21, 2021, 12:45 PM EDT

Hi, There is some good information here on deformed wings

https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/why-do-some-cicadas-have-shriveled-up-or-damaged-wings/

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 21, 2021, 4:20 PM EDT

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