【36mm】Blister Beetle (Mylabris variabilis) Morocco Origin Ground Beetle Insect Specimen

Scientific Name: Berberomeloe majalis?

Common Name: Red-striped oil beetle

Berberomeloe is a genus belonging to the tribe Lyttini in the family Meloidae. This genus includes two species: Berberomeloe majalis, with its striking red stripes, and Berberomeloe insignis, which is less colorful.

It belongs to the blister beetle family and inhabits the western Mediterranean coast.

The body length is typically around 5 cm. Its large size and vibrant red stripes encircling its body make this beetle unmistakable. Its coloration serves as a warning, reflecting its ability to exude a caustic fluid when threatened, similar to other oil beetles and blister beetles in the Meloidae family. However, in Spain, the coloration of this beetle varies significantly. Pure black individuals, lacking red markings, are scattered throughout large parts of B. majalis's distribution. These individuals are often found in close proximity to their red-striped counterparts, yet the two forms appear spatially segregated, with no mixed populations observed in the wild. Both the black and red-striped morphs of Berberomeloe majalis are equally toxic.

The red-striped oil beetle inhabits the Mediterranean coastal regions of Portugal and Spain, as well as arid areas of North Africa from Morocco to Tunisia. They are found in sunny, dry locations, inhabiting bright grasslands and lightly wooded forests. They can be observed from sea level up to altitudes of 3000 meters in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Adults feed on pollen. The larvae are fully parasitic, primarily living in the nests of wild solitary bees. Females lay between 2,000 and 10,000 eggs, most of which do not survive due to lack of food or predation. Unlike the adults, the larvae are approximately 3 cm in length.
We apologize, but we cannot guarantee against degradation during shipping. Please understand.
The specimen to be shipped was collected in Ifrane, Alou, Fez-Meknes region, Morocco, at an altitude of 1720m. It was collected on May 16-17, 2018. My measurement of the head-to-abdomen length was 36mm. The photo is of a representative specimen. While the oily sheen and color have diminished, the plump, caterpillar-like appearance remains in the specimen.