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.
Blister Beetle Media
clicked at mumbai
Ivy bee (Colletes hederae), carrying parasitic triungulins of Stenoria analis
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)
Sitaris muralis (Nemognathinae: Sitarini)
