Blister beetle

A beetle in the family Meloidae whose adults can release cantharidin, a toxic chemical that causes skin blistering.

Connect

Cantharidin: A toxic natural compound that irritates skin and can cause blistering. Blister beetles produce and release this defensive chemical.
Meloidae: A family of beetles commonly called blister beetles, characterized by cantharidin production. This is the taxonomic family to which blister beetles belong.
Spanish fly: A preparation traditionally made from dried Lytta vesicatoria beetles and containing cantharidin. This historic product derives its blistering compound from a blister beetle.
Epicauta vittata: A striped blister beetle found in North America that feeds on plants as an adult. Its conspicuous stripes make it a recognizable crop-feeding species.
Chemical defense: Protection from predators through the production or release of biologically active chemicals. Cantharidin is the beetle’s principal chemical defense.
Coleoptera: The insect order comprising beetles, distinguished by hardened forewings called elytra. Meloidae is one family within this large insect order.
Lytta vesicatoria: A green European blister beetle, also called the Spanish fly, that contains cantharidin. It became the source of the cantharidin preparation known as Spanish fly.
Epicauta funebris: A black blister beetle found in western North America, also known as the black blister beetle. This species can occur in alfalfa fields and contaminate harvested hay.
Meloe: A genus of blister beetles, many of which have swollen abdomens and reduced wings. Oil beetles in this genus release cantharidin when disturbed.
Elytra: The hardened forewings of beetles, which cover and protect the hindwings and abdomen. Their form and reduction help distinguish different blister beetles.