Blister Beetle vs Italian Locust

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blister Beetle Italian Locust
Scientific Name Epicauta vittata Calliptamus italicus
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Meloidae Acrididae
Size 12-20 mm 15-35 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Blister Beetle

A striped black and yellow beetle that releases cantharidin, a chemical causing painful skin blisters. It is a pest of tomatoes and potatoes.

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Did You Know?

Horses can die from eating hay contaminated with just a few crushed blister beetles.

Italian Locust

A medium-sized locust with pink hindwings found across southern Europe and Central Asia. It favors dry, warm habitats and can swarm during outbreaks.

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Did You Know?

Its bright pink hindwings are flashed during flight to startle predators.