By Larry D. Rea
Rubber Rabbitbrush; 9/17/2007 Harney County
“Don’t touch it.” Good advice in the case of this colorful blister beetle.
According to biologists, the bright red/orange/yellow color is a warning. A sign to go away and leave this critter alone. Biologists refer to the concept of this warning coloration as aposematism . . . apo = away . . . sema = sign. The beetle in the photo . . . grazing on rabbitbrush, is commonly called a blister beetle. It releases a poisonous chemical that causes severe blistering of human skin. Don’t touch it.
Do you want to see this species of blister beetle for yourself? Try driving to the Celilo Exit east of The Dalles and then to the Deschutes River Bridge on old Highway 30. At the bridge, turn right onto a gravel road called Old Moody Road . . . go toward The Dalles about four miles. For those of you who use GPS, the exact spot is 45.6412 North latitude and 120.9824 West longitude. At that position you will find a pullout and a lovely view of the Wishram Railroad Bridge that spans the Columbia River 580 feet below. Let’s face it. If you don’t find the beetle here, at least you can enjoy the scenery.
Scrutinize the rabbitbrush growing roadside . . . if you find the beetle, heed the warning . . . don’t touch it. And, if you do touch it, do not put your fingers in your mouth! If you do both of those things let me know immediately . . . I want to be the first to say: “I told you not to touch it!”
Photo* by Larry D. Rea. www.taxaflora.com
*Thanks to Jim LaBonte, ODA Entomologist, for his help in identifying the beetle as Lytta vulnerata cooperi, a task made immensely more difficult by having to use my photo instead of having a specimen in hand. LDR
