Cissites maculata (Swederus, 1787)

 

Synonyms: Cucujus maculatus, Horia maculata, Cantharis maculata

 

 

Cissites maculata is a blister beetle widely distributed in the Neotropics: from Mexico to Argentina and Chile, in the Greater and Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, and the Galapagos Islands. It inhabits tropical forests, woodlands, and mangroves; from sea level to ca. 800 m asl. This species is mostly red or orange with black spots on the elytra; it has a large, strongly triangular head. The larvae are parasites in nests of carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) where they feed on pollen stores, and possibly on the host larvae. When threatened, C. maculata secretes a liquid with strong and disagreeable odor from the leg joints.

The pinned specimens from the Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro) were lost, along with the entire insect collection, in the fire in September 2018.

 

		D39979 Cissites maculata (Meloidae) Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D39981 Cissites maculata (Meloidae) Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D39980 Cissites maculata (Meloidae) Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved

 

		D45958 Cissites maculata (Meloidae) Museu Nacional Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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