Epicauta albida
(Say, 1824)
Neck-lined Blister Beetle
Epicauta albida, commonly known as the Neck-lined Blister Beetle, is a of blister beetle in the Meloidae. It belongs to the Albida group, a distinct species group within Epicauta characterized by specific anatomical features. The species is found in Central America and North America, where adults are typically associated with flowering vegetation.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Epicauta albida: /ˌɛpɪˈkaʊtə ˈælbɪdə/
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Images
Distribution
Central America and North America.
Human Relevance
Blister beetles in the Epicauta, including E. albida, produce , a defensive terpenoid compound that is toxic to most animals. Cantharidin can cause painful blistering of skin and is potentially fatal if ingested. The Albida group has been the subject of systematic study due to its distinct anatomical characteristics.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Meloidae Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
- What Puts the Blister Into Blister Beetles?
- Meloidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
- Bug Eric: A Beetle Mimicry Complex
- Ecology, Behavior, and Adult Anatomy of the Albida Group of the Genus Epicauta (Coleoptera, Meloidae).
- Ecology, behavior, and adult anatomy of the Albida Group of the genus Epicauta (Coleoptera, Meloidae)
- Ecology, Behavior, and Adult Anatomy of the Albida Group of the Genus Epicauta (Coleoptera, Meloidae) by R. B. Selander, J. M. Mathieu