Iron Cross Blister Beetle

Tegrodera aloga is generally about 2 cm long; it has a long, narrow and cylindrical body and a wide head. The beetle is easily recognizable due to its contrasting yellow and red spots found on its black body. The brightness of the spots warns of the cantharidin toxins the beetle carries; this coloration is known as aposematism, and it works as a warning signal to protect itself from predators. It is more common to find these beetles in larger groups rather than individually.

In Tegrodera aloga, the males fight among themselves for the ability to mate with a female. Mating takes place actively, with the male on the female's back. Together they climb among flowers and leaves. The adults feed on spring blossoms of Nama hispida and Eriastrum, alfalfa, and other desert plants. They will drink nectar as well. The hosts of the parasitic larvae are unknown, but assumed to be ground-nesting bees.