oil beetle

any of several blister beetles of the genus Meloe that exude an oily fluid from the joints of their legs when disturbed.

Origin of oil beetle

First recorded in 1650–60

It is with the help of this precious capture that I shall be able to finish the story of the Oil-beetle's development.

The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles |Jean Henri Fabre
It is a protection, for it both smells and tastes so nasty that no bird will ever attempt to eat an oil-beetle.

The Animal World, A Book of Natural History |Theodore Wood
It happily consumes those provisions and, in time, an oil-beetle crawls out of the tunnel a mining-bee so laboriously prepared.

The Forgotten Planet |Murray Leinster
The English, because of its trick of discharging oily blood when on the defensive, call this insect the Oil-beetle.

The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles |Jean Henri Fabre

Under ordinary conditions would the adult Oil-beetle have emerged from her cell at this period?

The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles |Jean Henri Fabre

oil beetle

any of various beetles of the family Meloidae that exude an oily evil-smelling blood from their joints, which deters enemies