Bronzed Blister Beetle

According to Cirrusimage.com, "Beetles are the dominant form of life on earth: one of every five living species is a beetle. Coleoptera is the largest order in the animal kingdom, containing a third of all insect species. There are about 300,000 known species worldwide, 30,000 of which live in North America."

The Bronzed Blister Beetle (Lytta aenea) is one of 7,500 species in the family Meloidae. Like others of his family, he produces a poisonous chemical that can blister the skin. I admit that I was sorely tempted to pluck him off the grass for closer inspection, but my precarious balance in the muck of water's edge prevented my reach.

Now I know: just like my mama told me, "You can look but don't touch."