Ashgray Blister Beetle
Epicauta fabricii
This record describes Epicauta fabricii (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
To distinguish E. murina , see under E. murina ; E. flavocinerea , a rare species, has 1st segment in male not very modified, 2nd and 3rd subequal in female, pubescence yellowish
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Meloinae
- Tribe
- Epicautini
- Genus
- Epicauta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e NA to the Rockies (ME-FL to SK-AZ) - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adult hosts: commonly on Leguminosae, including alfalfa, Baptisia , bean, pea, and sweetclover; sometimes attacks potato and glandless cotton. (FL Ext.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Epicauta fabricii (LeConte)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Epicauta fabricii. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ashgray Blister Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Boris Bueche , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashgray Blister Beetle
What is Ashgray Blister Beetle?
Ashgray Blister Beetle (Epicauta fabricii) is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Ashgray Blister Beetle?
To distinguish E. murina , see under E. murina ; E. flavocinerea , a rare species, has 1st segment in male not very modified, 2nd and 3rd subequal in female, pubescence yellowish
Where is Ashgray Blister Beetle found?
Range: e NA to the Rockies (ME-FL to SK-AZ) - Map
What does Ashgray Blister Beetle eat?
The diet of the Ashgray Blister Beetle includes Adult hosts: commonly on Leguminosae, including alfalfa, Baptisia , bean, pea, and sweetclover; sometimes attacks potato and glandless cotton. (FL Ext.).