Eupomphini
Guides
Eupompha
Eupompha is a genus of blister beetles (family Meloidae) comprising approximately 14 described species distributed in arid regions of North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert plants, on which adults feed and aggregate in mating pairs. The genus belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, which includes other genera with similar desert-adapted ecologies.
Eupompha edmundsi
Eupompha edmundsi is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Selander in 1953. It belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, a group of meloid beetles primarily associated with arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. The genus Eupompha is characterized by metallic coloration and association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert plants. Like other members of its tribe, E. edmundsi likely exhibits the complex life history typical of blister beetles, with hypermetamorphic larvae that are parasitoids or predators of other insects.
Eupompha elegans
Elegant Blister Beetle
Eupompha elegans is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, distributed across Central America and North America. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: Eupompha elegans elegans and Eupompha elegans perpulchra. Adults are known to feed on floral resources, with documented host associations including Chaenactis fremontii (Asteraceae) and Eschscholzia minutiflora (Papaveraceae) for the perpulchra subspecies. Like other meloid beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive compound.
Eupompha elegans elegans
Eupompha elegans elegans is a subspecies of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, tribe Eupomphini. It is one of two recognized subspecies within E. elegans, the other being E. e. perpulchra. The species is native to western North America. Adult beetles are known to feed on plant foliage and flowers. Like other meloids, larvae are likely hypermetamorphic, developing through distinct mobile and sedentary phases.
Eupompha elegans perpulchra
Eupompha elegans perpulchra is a subspecies of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, tribe Eupomphini. It is endemic to California, USA. Adults have been documented feeding on flowers of specific host plants in the Polemoniaceae family, including Eriastrum densifolium, Eriastrum sapphirinum, and Gilia tenuiflora. Mating behavior occurs on host flowers. The subspecies is represented by 930 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum holdings, indicating it is relatively well-collected and presumably common within its range.
Eupompha imperialis
Eupompha imperialis is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Wellman in 1912. The species is recorded from North America. As a member of the tribe Eupomphini, it belongs to a group of blister beetles known for their aposematic coloration and chemical defense. Museum collections hold 42 specimens of this species.
Eupompha schwarzi
Eupompha schwarzi is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Wellman in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, a group of meloid beetles primarily associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert vegetation in arid regions of western North America. The genus Eupompha is characterized by aposematic coloration, often with metallic green or blue hues combined with orange or red markings. Like other blister beetles, E. schwarzi possesses cantharidin, a defensive compound that causes skin blistering.
Eupompha wenzeli
Scintillating Poppy Blister Beetle
Eupompha wenzeli is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Skinner in 1904. It belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, a group of meloid beetles commonly associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert vegetation. The species occurs in arid regions of southwestern North America and Central America. Like other Eupompha species, adults are likely active during summer months when their host plants are in bloom.
Megetra punctata
Megetra punctata is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Selander in 1965. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Megetra, it exhibits aposematic coloration warning of its chemical defenses.
Phodaga marmorata
Phodaga marmorata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, tribe Eupomphini. The species is characterized by its marbled or mottled coloration, as indicated by its specific epithet. It occurs in both Central and North America. Like other members of Meloidae, it possesses chemical defenses including cantharidin, a toxic compound that provides protection against predators.
Pleuropasta
Pleuropasta is a genus of blister beetles (family Meloidae) established by Wellman in 1909. The genus contains at least two described species: P. mirabilis (Horn, 1870) and P. reticulata (Van Dyke, 1947). These beetles belong to the tribe Eupomphini within the subfamily Meloinae. Members of this genus are found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, particularly in association with desert and scrubland habitats.
Pleuropasta mirabilis
Pleuropasta mirabilis is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The species belongs to the tribe Eupomphini, a group of meloid beetles characterized by aposematic coloration and chemical defenses. It occurs in both Central America and North America. The genus Pleuropasta contains at least two recognized species, with P. mirabilis being the more widespread and well-collected of the two.
Pleuropasta reticulata
Pleuropasta reticulata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Van Dyke in 1947. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of the tribe Eupomphini, it belongs to a group of meloid beetles characterized by aposematic coloration and chemical defenses. The specific epithet 'reticulata' refers to a net-like or reticulated pattern, likely describing the elytral markings. Field observations indicate adults are active during warmer months and may be found in association with flowering plants.
Tegrodera erosa inornata
Tegrodera erosa inornata is a subspecies of blister beetle endemic to cismontane southern California and Baja California. It is one of three subspecies within the T. erosa species complex, distinguished from the nominate subspecies by reduced or absent elytral markings. Like all Tegrodera species, it contains cantharidin in its hemolymph and has been associated with livestock toxicity concerns when present in alfalfa hay. The subspecies is currently considered to be undergoing range retrenchment due to urban development.