Lytta navajo
Werner, 1951
Lytta navajo is a of blister beetle in the Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1951. It is placed in the subgenus Poreospasta within the Lytta. The species is known from North America, with museum records indicating 29 specimens held in the UCR Entomology Research Museum collection. As a member of Meloidae, it possesses the family's characteristic chemical defense system involving cantharidins.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lytta navajo: //ˈlɪtə nəˈvɑːhoʊ//
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Distribution
North America. Specific locality data beyond this broad range are not documented in available sources.
Human Relevance
Blister beetles in the Lytta, including L. navajo, contain cantharidins—potent irritants that can cause blistering of human skin upon contact. The related Lytta vesicatoria (Spanish fly) has been historically significant as a source of medicinal compounds and aphrodisiacs, though with documented cases of fatal poisoning.