Colorful blister beetle

Description:

Lytta fulvipennis. Seems to be a tarantula hawk mimic. One of several beetles that pollinates (and feeds on) prickly poppy flowers. Blister beetles contain cantharidin, a dangerous irritant and ancient aphrodisiac called Spanish fly--the blister beetle called by that name was the normal source of the chemical. The Spanish fly beetle and this one belong to the same genus. Blister beetles are dangerous to horses if eaten by them in their feed.