Hobbies And Interests
Blister Beetles
Members of the family Meloidae are called blister beetles. This family is known for secreting a blistering agent, called cantharidin, when threatened. Some California blister beetles are parasitic, feeding on the immature larvae of other insects. Many are brightly colored to announce their toxicity to predators. Blister beetles can pose a danger to horses, which accidentally eat the insects in their hay.
Leaf Beetles
Leaf beetles are members of the family Chrysomelidae, many of which are significant agricultural pests in the state of California. For instance, the common asparagus beetle, Croiceris Asparagi, feeds on the spears and leaves of this crop, reducing the quality of the asparagus and affecting future yield. As California is a major agricultural state, these insects present a serious economic concern.
Wood-Boring Beetles
California is also home to a number of wood-boring beetles, including the deathwatch beetles of the family Anobiidae, the powderpost beetles from family Lyctidae and many others. These insects bore into wooden objects such as furniture, outdoor structures, fence posts and utility poles unless the wood is treated against them. Over time, the larvae of these beetle species reduce the wood to dust. They live inside the wood itself, emerging only as adults to mate and move to another wooden object. Wood-boring beetles feed on live deciduous trees as well as dead wood.
Ladybird Beetles
Not all California beetles are destructive. Both native and introduced species of ladybird beetles, members of the family Coccinellidae, are used to help control insects that cause agricultural damage. Ladybird beetles are also called ladybugs, lady cows and lady beetles. They are generally yellow, red or orange and are easily identified by the small black spots on their wing covers, while other species are black, gray or brown with no spots. Although these beetles may be a nuisance if they make their way inside homes, they are normally considered beneficial.
Darkling Beetles
These insects eat both fresh and decaying vegetation, and some species, such as the mealworm, can cause problems in stored food. A number of mealworm species are bred to provide food for pets. These beetles have fused wing covers and cannot fly. Some darkling beetles are referred to as stink beetles because they release an unpleasant smell when they feel threatened. When alarmed, they stand on their front legs with their rear legs in the air, so as to aim the odor.