PHOENIX — Have you seen these pesky black and orange beetles on Valley hiking trails lately? They're known as "master blister beetles" because their blood contains a chemical that can be extremely painful to human skin.
Blooming flowers and pollen attract the beetle. Combined with our "super bloom" and the beetle's spring mating season, they've been very common to come across when out hiking lately.
The beetles contain a chemical called cantharidin, and when it comes in contact with human skin it can cause painful blisters. It is also extremely toxic for dogs and cattle, like horses, if ingested.
The beetle doesn't need to be injured to release its toxic blood, either.
"The 'blister' in the name refers to the beetle’s ability to pop a blood vessel in the joint of a leg, which causes the insect’s yellowish blood to ooze out," says ASU biologist John Alcock.
They typically crawl, but can also fly.
The blister beetles are most commonly seen in the spring around Valley hiking trails during mating season, so the good news is that after a few more weeks you shouldn't see them until next year!
