Lytta sayi
LeConte, 1853
Say's Blister Beetle, Say blister beetle
Lytta sayi is a in the , to North America. Like other members of its , this produces , a defensive compound that causes blistering upon contact with skin. The species was described by LeConte in 1853 and is placed in the subgenus Pomphopoea.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lytta sayi: //ˈlɪtə ˈseɪaɪ//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
North America, with confirmed records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States.
Human Relevance
Like other , L. sayi produces , a potent irritant that can cause dermatitis upon skin contact. The compound has historical significance as the source of "Spanish ," though L. sayi itself is not the source (that being the European Lytta vesicatoria).
Similar Taxa
- Lytta vulnerataSimilar black and orange coloration, but L. vulnerata has distinctly sculptured in some (e.g., L. v. cooperi) and may show pronotal markings absent in L. sayi.
- Lytta magisterLarger southwestern with different color pattern and distribution.