A slow-moving flightless beetle that releases a foul-smelling oily secretion when disturbed. The larvae develop as parasites in the nests of solitary bees.
Meloe and other genera, family Meloidae
Definition of oil beetle in US English:
oil beetle
noun
A slow-moving flightless beetle that releases a foul-smelling oily secretion when disturbed. The larvae develop as parasites in the nests of solitary bees.