Coleoptera - Beetles
Coleoptera is an order of insects that contains beetles and weevils. With upwards of 400,000 species, it is the largest order of insects, representing about 40 percent of the known insect species and 25% of all known animal life-forms; new species are discovered frequently. Coleopterans are many of the largest and most conspicuous insects in the world, some of which also have brilliant metallic colors, showy patterns, or striking form. Beetles can usually be recognized by their two pairs of wings; the front pair is modified into horny covers that hide the rear pair and most of the abdomen and usually meet down the back in a straight line. (Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica)
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Burning Blister Beetle
Beetles: Burning Blister Beetle, Epicauta alphonsii, Family Meloidae, Order Coleoptera. Documented in Rose Valley in Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County, California, USA. Note: Red spot or mark on head. This beetle was bout 3" long.
Blister BeetlesBurning Blister BeetlesCaliforniaColeopteraCucujiform BeetlesCucujiformiaDarkling BeetlesEpicautaEpicauta alphonsiiEpicautiniInsectaLos Padres National ForestMeloidaeMeloinaeNorth AmericaPolyphagaRancho GrandeRose ValleyTenebrionoideaVentura CountyXplorMor Internationalbeetleblack beetleinsect photographyinsectsxplormor
