I'm going to be working on a new construction site in Tucson, Az. starting on the 13th of May (for like three or four months). I went out there last week to get badged and to do a jobsite orientation. While there, I saw these things running around all over the place: WTFBBQ, them's some nasty looking bugs, and not much smaller than in the pics above! I asked 5 or 6 people what the hell they were, but I guess they were from out of town too cuz they didn't know. I followed one for a bit (they have some major ground clearance and walk fast) and I felt like I was following a little dog. It was trotting allong at a fast pace, looking left to right (moving it's head while doing so). I felt like I should be holding it's leash. I wanted to know if they bite so I kept asking people what they were. Finally the jobsite safety guy (doing the orientation) said it was a 'proton bug', related to a wasp. I was like: "A proton bug, huh?! He said: "Yeah, one was taken to NAU (Northern Arizona University) and that's what they called it." I don't know what the teach at NAU (LOL, proton bug). So I scratched around the web for 20 minutes and found out that they're actually Iron Cross Blister Beetles. and they have a nasty bite (rash and swelling, etc). I can't wait to go back there and make friends with the blister beetles. I didn't get bit the first day, so hopefully we're cool.
I thought you were talking about the new VW Beatle. What we need is a way to search by uploading pictures, I wonder if Bill gates will look at this post and get on the ball and develop the needed technology?
Thoes critters do look color full , I would think there lots of other critters running around Tucson . Snakes , gila monsters , ect. I did find some links on blister beetles . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blister_beetle http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/blister_beetles.htm http://ipm.illinois.edu/fieldcrops/insects/blister_beetles/index.html http://www.bugspray.com/blister-beetle-control.html http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in323 http://hayusa.net/blister.html and the gila monster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gila_monster
I try to get along with most of Gods critters , I have some problems with thoes that bite and sting .
We did that as children too! Do kids do that anymore? I haven't heard of any that do...now the kids are tied to a computer game. (jmo )
ha - my mother showed us. Even though it's just May, I saw a June bug the other day...didn't want to string him up and fly him tho'. But on topic, those are some nasty ass looking beetles that Justin is fixing to go work around. I wonder if insect repellent would work to keep them away...
