Indian Blister Beetle vs Smelly Carpenter Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Blister Beetle | Smelly Carpenter Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mylabris pustulata | Dolichoderus thoracicus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh) | Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Blister Beetle
A striking beetle with black elytra marked with bright red or orange bands and spots. It produces cantharidin, a powerful blistering agent, and feeds on flowers in agricultural fields during monsoon season.
Did You Know?
Despite being a flower pest, blister beetle larvae are beneficial because they consume enormous quantities of grasshopper egg pods in the soil.
Smelly Carpenter Ant
A Southeast Asian dolichoderine ant that tends mealybugs inside shelters built from chewed plant material. It is a significant pest of cacao and coconut plantations.
Did You Know?
They build elaborate carton tents over mealybug colonies on crop plants, protecting their honeydew source from rain and predators.