Gray, black, or striped. Throughout United States. Usually occur late in season.
Blister beetles have seven instars and overwinter as mature larvae in the soil.
After pupation in the spring, adults begin to emerge in early summer and by midsummer reach their peak population. During summer months blister beetles feed on plant foliage or flowers and mate. Eggs are laid in the soil in groups of 50 to 300 eggs. As larvae molt and grow their activity decreases. When they reach the fifth instar they move into the soil, molt again, and remain overwinter in the soil as sixth instars.