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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Beetles (Coleoptera) (58 Galleries) >> Blister Beetles (Meloidae) > Blister beetle (Tricrania sanguinipennis)
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24-APR-2011 Christine Hanrahan

Blister beetle (Tricrania sanguinipennis)

Beechwood Cemetery

These pretty red blister beetles lay their eggs in the nest of Colletes bees. No surprise then that in addition to this beetle, I saw several others along with hundreds of the small Colletes bees. The bees are solitary bees, but nest in large aggregations in early spring in sandy soil. They are an important pollinator, and no, they don't sting (or so rarely as to be exceptional... I was in the midst of scores of them today and had them crawling on my hands with no issues!).

For a photo of the Colletes bee, see: http://www.pbase.com/laroseforest/image/134175789


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Julie Tremblay29-Apr-2011 10:16
Who would have thought? Thank you for sharing. V.
Pierre25-Apr-2011 22:41
De superbes images accompagnées de commentaires très instructifs, merci de partager! V
Colin Storey25-Apr-2011 17:32
Two great shots of this beetle, good to see both sides of it. v
Carl Carbone25-Apr-2011 01:03
You are definitely creating quite the reference library! Great macro! V
Graeme24-Apr-2011 23:11
Cracking macro shot Christine!Vote
John King24-Apr-2011 22:11
Great photo and a nice introduction to these beetles as well as the collettes bees.
Karen Stuebing24-Apr-2011 21:29
I learn so much from your photos. The symbiotic relationships between insects never cease to amaze me. And it's a great close up too.
Stephanie24-Apr-2011 20:59
You are a wealth of information Christine! These are fascinating beetles and your photo is excellent! V
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