Meloidae
This is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae. Male blister beetles produce a chemical called cantharidin, a known chemical burning agent, as a defensive mechanism. Female beetles obtain this compound as a copulatory gift from males. There are about 7,500 known species worldwide. Many blister beetles are conspicuously colored. However, some are aposematically colored to warn predators of their toxicity.
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Meloidae
Photograph: © 2016 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 12 August 2016
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45o36'48" N 111o04'19" W)