arizona black and red bug

[lizmotobike]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/lizmotobike/Black__Red_Bug.jpg


okay this was sent to me from a buddy in near prescott arizona. any ideas?

looks like it flys but ?

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v411/lizmotobike/?action=view&current=Black__Red_Bug.jpg

 

[Ted]

i strained my eyes trying to see it.
do you have a description, or a closeup?

 

[lucanidae]

It's a beetle, family Meloidae, blister beetles. They have wings but are too loaded full of nasty chemicals to fly. Watch out, they can burn you and it isn't pleasant.

 

[lucanidae]

Oh yeah, genus Megetra.

 

[lizmotobike]

i strained my eyes trying to see it.
do you have a description, or a closeup? - ted

i only have the one he sent me so i could fwd it directly in case it was reduced by photo bucket. i am on dial-up.

It's a beetle, family Meloidae, blister beetles. They have wings but are too loaded full of nasty chemicals to fly. Watch out, they can burn you and it isn't pleasant. -lucanidae

Oh yeah, genus Megetra. -lucanidae

thanks i will tell him. is it a good one to collect?

 

[lucanidae]

Haha, everything is good to collect although these dry and wilt on a pin. They are best preserved in alcohol, but look out! they stuff can still burn you even after months in preservative. (I unfortunately know this from experience)