 
Blister Beetles
Adult blister beetles are foliage feeders. These beetles have a narrow, elongate, soft body. They range from ½ to 1¼ inch long. The head is wider than the first body segment giving the appearance of having a "neck." Their color is black, grey, or striped. These beetles are frequently found in clusters, where they have been attracted to a particular group of plants to feed on. Their presence may be brief; they feed on plants, then leave as quickly as they appeared.
Blister beetles derive their name from the presence of a substance, cantharidin, which is found in their body. This compound may blister human skin when the beetles are handled. The larvae of blister beetles live in the soil where they are predacious on grasshopper eggs. Populations of blister beetles often increase locally after an outbreak of large numbers of grasshoppers.
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