Don't panic, it's not gross - it's a beautiful oil beetle, the short-winged blister beetle. I love the crinkly texture of this metallic blue insect.
The cheeky larvae of these beetles sometimes hitch a ride on bees to get to a food source. Nuthatches have been observed rubbing blister beetles (and their secreted toxins) around their nest holes to deter predators and competitors, such as squirrels. (Naturally Curious)
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