Nuttall's Blister Beetle
Lytta nuttalli
This record describes Lytta nuttalli (species). Recorded family: Meloidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
variable first collected by Say along the Colorado Front Range where some of the local bushes were loaded with this sp.
Identification notes
variable
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Tenebrionoidea
- Family
- Meloidae (Blister Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Meloinae
- Genus
- Lytta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. NA (AB-MB to MN-NM-e.CA); limited to higher elevations in the southern half of the range (the Sierra Nevada population appears to be disjunct from the main range)
Seasonal Activity
Jun-Sep
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on legumes, other forbs
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Lytta nuttalli Say 1824
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Lytta nuttalli. 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 Nuttall's Blister Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chris Wirth; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Nuttall's Blister Beetle
What is Nuttall's Blister Beetle?
Nuttall's Blister Beetle (Lytta nuttalli) is a species in the family Meloidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Nuttall's Blister Beetle?
7-21 mm
How do you identify Nuttall's Blister Beetle?
variable
Where is Nuttall's Blister Beetle found?
Range: w. NA (AB-MB to MN-NM-e.CA); limited to higher elevations in the southern half of the range (the Sierra Nevada population appears to be disjunct from the main range)
What does Nuttall's Blister Beetle eat?
The diet of the Nuttall's Blister Beetle includes Adults feed on legumes, other forbs.
When is Nuttall's Blister Beetle active?
Nuttall's Blister Beetle: seasonal activity - Jun-Sep.