About Epicauta wheeleri Horn, 1873
Epicauta wheeleri is a species of blister beetle that belongs to the family Meloidae. It is found across North America. In southern Utah, Nevada, and other regions of the American Southwest, this species is commonly known by the colloquial name "ethereal beef weevil". This common name has three sources: the beetle's striking, prominent iridescence that stands out in bright harsh desert sunlight, its distinctly segmented body which resembles the body structure typical of weevils, and the fact that it is frequently encountered in and around cattle pastures by beef ranchers and farmers. Despite this common name, Epicauta wheeleri is not a true weevil; it is classified as a blister beetle.
