[1][2] The genus Lytta is from a Latin word suggesting madness[3] The specific nuttallii recognizes the contributions of Thomas Nuttall, a contemporary of Say.

[4] The brilliant purple and green iridescent exoskeleton of Nuttall's blister beetles are a sharp contrast to the prairie plants of their native habitat.

[5] This species is found in Canada (Alberta to Manitoba) and the United States (Idaho south to Arizona, east to Minnesota and New Mexico).

[5][9][10][11] This behaviour can create problems for farmers when the beetles feed on soybeans, sweetclover, alfalfa, or other crops.

[12][9] The beetles are not considered a serious agricultural pest as their populations are naturally limited by their need for native ground nesting bees as larvae.