Epicautini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Tenebrionoidea
Family: Meloidae
Subfamily: Meloinae
Tribe: Epicautini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epicautini: /ˌɛpɪˈkaʊtɪnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Marginated Blister Beetle (Epicauta funebris) (14725738778) by Andrew C. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Black blister beetle by Bruce Marlin. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Florida Blister Beetle (Epicauta floridensis) (4975931097) by Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth!. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Margined Blister Beetle - Epicauta funebris, Soldier's Delight Natural Area, Owings Mills, Maryland (36920329840) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Epicauta pensylvanica 163893080 (cropped) by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Report on the Rocky Mountain locust and other insects now injuring or likely to injure field and garden crops in the western states and territories (1877) (14801465903) by Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring), 1839-1905;

Geological Survey (U.S.). Used under a No restrictions license.

Summary

The Epicautini tribe consists of blister beetles known for their toxicity due to the secretion of cantharidin, with a unique hypermetamorphic life cycle. They play roles in pollination and pest control but pose significant risks to livestock if ingested.

Physical Characteristics

Aposematically colored with some species exhibiting bright colors to signal toxicity. They are hypermetamorphic and the first larval stage is typically a mobile triungulin.

Identification Tips

Look for bright-colored beetles often found on flowers. Their distinct coloration can help in identifying toxic species.

Habitat

Commonly found in areas where their food sources (bees, grasshopper eggs) are present; often in flowering plants and fields, especially alfalfa fields.

Distribution

Approximately 180 species in the described area and close to 300 in the New World; widespread in various regions globally.

Diet

Adults feed on flowers and leaves from various plant families including Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae. Larvae are insectivorous, targeting mainly bees and occasionally grasshopper eggs.

Life Cycle

Undergo hypermetamorphic development with several larval stages, beginning with a mobile triungulin kept in motion by other insects, which are frequently bees.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in proximity to host species; larvae can survive on provisions provided by their hosts if necessary.

Predators

Predators include birds and other insects; however, due to their toxic nature, many predators may avoid them.

Ecosystem Role

Act as both pest and predator; larvae can reduce bee populations and help in controlling certain insect populations while adults help in pollination.

Economic Impact

Potentially lethal to horses if consumed alongside contaminated forage; can impact alfalfa production and pest management practices.

Cultural Significance

Historically used in folk medicine for the extraction of cantharidin, referred to as 'Spanish fly'.

Health Concerns

Cantharidin is a potent blistering agent; ingestion can lead to serious health consequences in mammals, including toxicity in horses.

Evolution

Family Meloidae began diversifying during the Early Cretaceous; notable for a long evolutionary history with the oldest known fossil dated to around 99 million years ago.

Similar Taxa

Meloidae
Mylabris
Lytta

Misconceptions

Some may confuse blister beetles with harmless insects due to their bright coloration, not realizing their potential toxicity.