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Distribution
The iron cross beetles live all over the world expect in Zealand and Antarctica. There are more than 300 blister beetle species in the continental United States. New Mexico has at least 28 species in eight genera; some that are found in alfalfa in New Mexico are shown in Figures 8A through 8H. Some blister beetle species are gregarious, congregating in large numbers, especially near field margins. Livestock poisoning cases are probably a result of baling parts of these swarms into alfalfa hay. It is unlikely that individual beetles will fatally poison livestock.

Although the larvae of blister beetles parasitize bees or feed on egg masses of other insects such as grasshoppers, adult blister beetles feed principally on various plant flowers and foliage. As the beetles’ primary weedy hosts mature and dry, beetles can enter lush alfalfa fields. Data from New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service indicate blister beetles are found sporadically in alfalfa from June through August, usually in low numbers. However, blister beetle swarms have been reported in isolated alfalfa fields in several counties in New Mexico as early as May and as late as October, requiring constant grower vigilance.

Description
This beetle’s length is about 2cm long; it has a long, narrow and cylindrical body and a wide head. The beetle is easily recognizable due to its contrasting yellow and red spots found on its black body, the brightness of the spots is due to the cantharidin toxins the beetle carries, this coloration is known as aposematism, and it works as a warning signal to protect itself from predators. It is more common to find these beetles in larger groups rather than individually.

Behavior
A few adults are nocturnal, but most are diurnal or show no cycle. Since adults are gregarious (socioable) and often highly colored, they tend to be conspicuous.The iron cross beetle love palo verde trees and they usually lay their eggs at the base of the flower buds. The eggs then lend to hatch when the flower bud opens. They pupate in the nest and emerge as adults the next spring. The iron cross beetle is in the same family as the coleptera family as well as the melodie. The iron cross beetle like most beetles have sexual reproduction which means male and female mate in order to make babies. It is said that the male alwys has has to fight to claim the female.Eggs are laid by the female in protected areas like under stones.

Diet
Blister beetles mostly eat flowers and some veggies. They also eat the leaves of some plants, as well as tomatoes, clover, alfalfa, potatoes, beans and peas. It is also said that some of the larvae eat grasshopper eggs.