What Do Blister Beetles Eat?

Blister beetles are insects that primarily consume plant material, but their diet varies depending on the species and their life stage.

• Leaves and flowers: Adult blister beetles often eat the leaves and flowers of a variety of plants. This can include garden plants, crops, and wild vegetation.
• Grasshopper eggs: Some species of blister beetle larvae are known to eat grasshopper eggs. They are beneficial in this regard as they help control grasshopper populations.
• Bee eggs and larvae: Certain blister beetle larvae, known as triungulins, are parasitic and consume bee eggs and larvae. They hitch a ride on a female bee and end up in the bee's nest where they feed on the bee's offspring.

How do Blister Beetles Eat?

Blister beetles, as adults, primarily feed on plant and flower tissues. Their larvae, however, are parasitic and prey on the eggs and larvae of other insects.

• Adult blister beetles chew on leaves, flowers, and soft plant tissues.
• They consume a variety of plants including legumes, potatoes, and other crops.
• Larvae are parasitic, targeting bee nests to consume eggs and larvae.
• The first larval stage, known as triungulin, attaches to a bee and gets transported to its nest where it feeds on the bee's eggs and larvae.

What do Blister Beetles Drink?

Blister beetles are insects known for their defensive secretion of a blistering agent, cantharidin. These beetles are primarily herbivores and their drinking habits reflect this.

• Plant Sap: Extracted from plant stems or leaves, this is their primary source of hydration and nutrition.
• Dew: They can consume dew found on plants for hydration.
• Nectar: Some species of blister beetles drink floral nectar, which provides them with sugars and other nutrients.

FAQs about Blister Beetles

1. How often do Blister Beetles eat?

Blister Beetles typically feed every few days, depending on the availability of food and environmental conditions.

2. How long can a Blister Beetles live without eating?

A Blister Beetle can survive without eating for approximately two to four weeks.

3. What do Larvae Blister Beetles eat?

Larvae Blister Beetles primarily consume bee eggs and larvae, often infiltrating bee nests for their food source.