Blister beetle
The blister beetle is a beetle of the family Meloidae. They secrete cantharidin, a chemical that causes blisters. About 7,500 species are known worldwide. They are poisonous to predators.
| Blister beetles | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hycleus lugens: notice the warning colouration | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Meloidae |
| Subfamilies | |
Blister beetles go through several larval stages. The larvae mainly attack bees. They also eat grasshopper eggs.
Blister beetles are attracted to alfalfa and weeds during bloom.
+{{{1}}}−{{{2}}}
Blister Beetle Media
clicked at mumbai
Ivy bee (Colletes hederae), carrying parasitic triungulins of Stenoria analis
Female margined blister beetle pursued by multiple males.
Black blister beetle, Epicauta pennsylvanica (Meloinae: Epicautini)
Blister beetles like this Lytta vesicatoria (Meloinae: Lyttini) can be safely handled, provided the animal is not startled, and allowed to move around freely. Otherwise, painful poisonings may occur.
Meloe violaceus (Meloinae: Meloini): Note the drop of dark orange defensive fluid on its thorax.
Mylabris quadripunctata (Meloinae: Mylabrini)
Horia sp. from Bannerghatta (Bangalore)
