The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

CUTTING HAY FOR HORSES – WATCH OUT FOR POISONOUS BLISTER BEETLES

Several blister beetle species feed on alfalfa, including the ash-gray blister beetle, black blister beetle and striped blister beetle. Adult blister beetles are easy to recognize due to their large size (½ to 1½ inch), soft bodies, short wing covers, long legs and a neck-like appearance between head and prothorax. Most blister beetle species have one generation per year. Adults become active in early to mid-summer and females lay eggs in the soil. Eggs hatch in about two weeks into larvae. Larva are beneficial insects an...