Attention in Baden-Württemberg: The poisonous black-and-blue oil beetle is here!

Attention in Baden-Württemberg: The poisonous black-and-blue oil beetle is here!

A small but extremely interesting creature has crept into Baden-Württemberg: the black-blue oil beetle, which is considered one of the most poisonous beetles in Germany. With a body size of around 1 to 3 centimeters, it is small, but it causes a lot of attention. The beetle's dangerous properties for humans even required playgrounds to be closed after sightings. How Mercury reports, this animal is not only fascinating but also endangered. Its habitat is open areas such as sparse forests and sandy meadows, especially near large rivers such as the Rhine and the Neckar.

The oil beetle has a special reproductive history. Females lay up to an impressive 9,500 eggs in the soil, from which larvae hatch the following year. These little creatures have it all together: They cling to wild bees, which they carry into the nest in order to live off the bees' supplies. MDR adds that the larvae hatch after overwintering in spring and then eat fresh greens.

Danger Zone: The poison of the oil beetle

The venom of the black-blue oil beetle, known as cantharidin, is particularly explosive and is secreted through pores on the knee joints. This secretion can not only cause blisters to form on the skin, but can also cause severe pain when it comes into contact with the eyes. My dear Scholli – this is no fun! n-tv mentions that if the beetle is swallowed, even cardiovascular failure can occur as a serious consequence.

To be on the safe side, the poison control center in Erfurt recommends that in the event of skin contact, immediately rinse the affected areas with water and, if necessary, call an ambulance. Fortunately, there have been no serious poisonings of people or pets to date, according to various experts. However, the German Nature Conservation Association (NABU) dismisses concerned citizens by emphasizing: These animals are not “aggressive killers”, but deserve our respectful distance and should only be observed.

Protection of the endangered species

Although the black-and-blue oil beetle was named “Insect of the Year 2020,” it is still endangered. The decline of wild bees and the loss of habitats have led to it being protected and listed on the Red List. The German Wildlife Foundation points out that there is no current evidence of a worrying spread of the beetle. Around twenty species of this beetle family live in Central Europe, although in Germany it is the black-blue oil beetle that particularly attracts attention.

So be careful if you come across one of these little poison protagonists and don't be fooled by their dazzling appearance. There is always more in nature than eyes can see at first glance!