SHORT NECKED OIL BEETLE

MELOE RUGOSUS. CARABUSUL DE PETROL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND LOOKS LIKE THIS BEETLE IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BADLY IRITATE HUMAN SKIN. SO, I WAS RIGHT TO HANDLE IT WITH A STICK, AS I WAS TOUGHT BY SAS SURVIVAL HANDBOOK MANY YEARS AGO. AVOID OIL BEETLES, PEOPLE!
The blister beetle genus Meloe is a large, widespread group commonly referred to as oil beetles. They are known as "oil beetles" because they release oily droplets of hemolymph from their joints when disturbed; this contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical causing blistering of the skin and painful swelling. Members of this genus are typically flightless, without functional wings, and shortened elytra.