Mylabris

Pannonian oil beetle ( Mylabris pannonica )

Mylabris is a beetle genus from the family of blister beetles and subfamily Meloinae with a distribution area in the Mediterranean. There are 52 species known in Europe, of which 17 on the Iberian Peninsula. In Central Europe, five species occur, especially in the Pannonian region.

Description

The beetles have red or brownish-yellow elytra with black spots or binding. Despite great Aberrationsspektren of species they can be distinguished by the drawing of the wings against each other. How many oil beetles they have a strong vesicant drugs ( cantharidin ).

Way of life

Your life cycle is very complex. As larvae they feed on eggs and larvae of various grasshoppers.

Species

In Europe, six subgenera are known:

• Chalcabris
• Eumylabris
• Mesosulcata
• Micrabris
• Mylabris s.str.
• Zitunabris

Known species in Central Europe:

• Four Punk Tiger oil beetle ( Mylabris quadripunctata )
• Pannonian oil beetle ( Mylabris pannonica )
• Variable oil beetle ( Mylabris variabilis )