Blister Beetle – Lytta sp.
Pliocene
Rita Blanca Formation
Oldham County, TX USA.
Large 23mm blister beetle on 65mm slab. Extremely rare.

Insect. Arthropod. Coleoptera.

Lytta is a genus of blister beetle (Family Meloidae).  It dates back at least to at least the Middle Eocene as it occurs in Baltic amber.  Blister beetles are known to bite and/or otherwise release chemical irritants to deter predators or grabby humans.

It’s like some of those bugs in “Starship Troopers” but this one will fit in your display case.