As larvae, Physomeloe corallifer have long hairy bodies, with thin legs, large powerful mandibles and short antennae.

Their pronotum are adorned by four coral red spots, this is where the species derives its name from,corallifer, meaning "carrying or possessing coral"; these marks have an aposematic function, warning predators of the danger posed by trying to eat them, as like other blister beetles they can secrete hemolymph containing cantharidin, a highly irritating substance that can cause lesions to the skin and conjunctivitis in the eyes; this does not seem to deter great bustards, who eat them in small doses as a measure to self-medicate and expunge parasites.

After mating, the female places the eggs beneath a growing plant; once they hatch the young larvae will climb up to the flowers where they wait for the arrival of a pollinator.

They hold tightly to their host's legs until they unwittingly bring them to their nests, once there the beetles devour any eggs, larvae and stockpiled food.

They are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, they are typically found around waterways in the Sistema Central and along the Douro's and Tagus' valleys, although less abundant in the latter.