Blister Beetles in Alfalfa Hay in Alabama Area!

[schwung]

Blister Beetles have been found in Alfalfa Hay in the Birmingham
Alabama area - Originated in Colorado

This hay originated in East Colorado. As of today, 2 horses have
died and 7 are being treated at Coosa Valley Equine Clinic. Several
of the 7 may not make it. The toxicity of these Beetles is extreme.
The 2 that died were fed hay yesterday morning and dead by noon.
This hay was sold by a reputable "hay man" who has bought over 150,00
bales of Alfalfa from the "harvester" in Colorado for over 10 years.
Very unfortunate incident.

If you are in Alabama and reading this, or if you have purchased hay that
may have come from CO inspect your hay for the red
striped Beetle.

There's no telling where this hay may have ended up.


--
Steve Rei, Esq.
President
National Equine Rescue Coalition
nationalequinerescuecoalition.com

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Hi Folks:

A NERC member asked me to pass along the following information on Blister Beetles:

THEY ARE JUST AS LETHAL DEAD, IF NOT MORE SO THAN THE LIVE ONES !

(and harder to notice, especially if they got chopped in the hayer.)

www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/fldcrops/ef102.htm

www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05524.html
forages.oregonstate.edu/topics/description.cfm?TopID=337

[fancyherd@gala's]

schwung --- I didn't notice you had already posted --so we have a duplicate post - but better more info than not enough! I'm going to do indepth reserach through UC Davis on this & I will share my findings.