red-striped oil beetle.

Found this oil beetle about 8 years ago in Extremadura Spain.

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Amazing! Any idea what the purpose is of such a lengthy abdomen?

And thanks for opening up the archives, this just shows how valuable it is. Posted 5 years ago
1. Paul Dirksen
  
  Lion
  
  I have no idea Ferdy, I've never read about it. Posted 5 years ago
2. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Sheer numbers and reproductive statistics. From the description:
  "The female lays between 2000 and 10000 eggs, but most of these fail to reach maturity either for lack of food or through predation." Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
3. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Oh wow, imagine the exponential effect if they would survive, we'd have to rename the planet. Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Pudding4brains
      
      Lion
      
      Pretty soon we wouldn't need to name anything anymore as they would wipe out the bees and bumblebees ;o) Posted 5 years ago

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

That's a lot of booty to be lugging around! Posted 5 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

What a beast! It makes me tired just thinking about having to lug that big 'bum' around! Posted 5 years ago

The Red-striped oil beetle

The red-striped oil beetle, "Berberomeloe majalis" is one of the largest insects found in Europe, with a typical length around 5 cm. Its large size and the bright red bands around its body make it unmistakable; its colouration is aposematic, reflecting its ability, in common with other oil or blister beetles in the family Meloidae, to squirt a caustic liquid if attacked.

Info 3 0

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Paul Dirksen