Re: Andalucian bug

Herman - thank you, I am sure you are right.

Following your suggestion I have been researching blister beetles through
Google and Physomeloe corallifer seems to be a very close match. Apart
from the appearance, which closely matches what I recall from my
sighting, the geographical range is right (one reference suggested that
they are unique to the Iberian peninsula). Also I notice that the larvae
are parasites of wild bees - there were many wild bees at the location
(and even a couple of bee eaters swooping around).

So it all hangs together - I have a number of friends in Spain who will
be interested to hear the answer.

Thanks again,

Peter


"dutchbug" <hroffereins@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:1150530882.105005.324880@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

Are they blister beetles (Meloidae)?
This one shows some resemblance.

http://www.meloidae.com/meloidae/0280.JPG

Herman


Peter wrote:
Could anyone help me identify this creature, found up an Andalucian
hillside this May:

http://www.prune.org.uk/Photographs/bug.html

It was about 50mm long (excluding antennae) and 10 mm across at the
widest point (excluding legs), which was the front of the abdomen.
The head, thorax and legs resembled those of a large fly - maybe a
damsel fly. The abdomen looked like a long leather sack being dragged
along behind the animal, though closer inspection showed that it was
segmented. Everything was black except for two vivid orange spots,
one either side of the head, which either were the eyes or were just
behind the eyes. I could see no signs of wings.

They were moving over rough ground and through coarse vegetation but
not, as far as I could tell, on the vegetation (mainly coarse grasses
with some wild lavender and thyme).

Many thanks,

Peter



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