




Meloe proscarabaeus
The Black Oil Beetle is a shiny black bug that loves to crawl around in the grass. It has a unique shape and can sometimes be found in sunny spots, making it fun to spot on a nature walk!
Habitat: Grasslands
The Black Oil Beetle is a large, bulky insect with an iridescent black or dark blue body. Its soft, leathery wing covers are short and oval, not fully covering its swollen abdomen. This makes it look distinctively pear-shaped compared to other beetles.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Female oil beetles can lay up to 10,000 eggs at once!
Some ancient doctors used them to treat warts and other ailments.
Their larvae are called triungulins, meaning 'three claws' for their legs.
They don't have wings that can fly, even though they are beetles!
Black Oil Beetle can ooze a toxic, blistering chemical from its leg joints that helps them deter predators.
Its larvae are super sneaky! They mimic female bees to hitch a ride to unsuspecting male bee nests.
Adult Black Oil Beetles munch on pollen and nectar, getting energy to lay thousands of eggs.
Adults munch on pollen and nectar, while larvae are sneaky parasites in bee nests!
Age differences: Larvae are parasitic, consuming bee eggs, larvae, and stored food; adults forage on pollen and nectar.
Andrena scotica
Larvae develop in their nests.
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Taraxacum officinale
Adults feed on its pollen.

Ranunculus acris
Adults feed on its pollen.
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't touch beetles unless you know they're safe. Some can make you feel itchy!
10-30 mm
30-90 days
Adults munch on pollen and nectar, while larvae are sneaky parasites in bee nests!
Grasslands
Foraging
6
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