Description
Blister Beetle – Lytta sp.
Pliocene
Rita Blanca Formation
Oldham County, TX USA.
Large 23mm blister beetle on 65mm slab. Extremely rare.
Insect. Arthropod. Coleoptera.
Lytta is a genus of blister beetle (Family Meloidae). It dates back at least to at least the Middle Eocene as it occurs in Baltic amber. Blister beetles are known to bite and/or otherwise release chemical irritants to deter predators or grabby humans.
It’s like some of those bugs in “Starship Troopers” but this one will fit in your display case.