Cantharidin
Guides
Anthicidae
Ant-like Flower Beetles, Ant-like Beetles
Anthicidae is a family of beetles comprising over 3,500 species in approximately 100 genera. Members are commonly known as ant-like flower beetles due to their striking morphological resemblance to ants. The family is characterized by a constricted head forming a distinct neck and slender appendages that enhance the ant-mimicry. Adults are omnivorous, feeding on small arthropods, pollen, fungi, and other available materials. The family has fossil representatives dating to the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) from Lebanese amber.
Cysteodemus wislizeni
black bladder-bodied meloid, black bladder-bodied blister beetle
Cysteodemus wislizeni, commonly known as the black bladder-bodied meloid or black bladder-bodied blister beetle, is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. The species is notable for its highly inflated, bladder-like body form that distinguishes it from most other meloids. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where adults have been observed feeding on flowers of Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine) and associated with Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade).
Epicauta
Burning Blister Beetles
Epicauta is a large genus of blister beetles (family Meloidae) comprising approximately 360 described species. The genus exhibits a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, with native species on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Adult Epicauta feed on plant foliage and flowers, while larvae are predatory specialists on grasshopper eggs. The genus is notable for producing cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid compound that serves as a chemical defense and can be lethal to vertebrates if ingested in sufficient quantities. Many species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of alfalfa and other forage crops, with documented cases of crop failure and livestock mortality from contaminated hay.
Epicauta abadona
Sub-sutural Blister Beetle
Epicauta abadona is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with museum holdings documenting 48 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection. The species was described by Skinner in 1904 and belongs to the subgenus Epicauta (Epicauta). Like other members of the genus, it possesses the chemical defense compound cantharidin characteristic of blister beetles.
Epicauta alastor
Epicauta alastor is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, placed in the subgenus Macrobasis. The species was described by Skinner in 1904 and occurs in North America. Like other Epicauta species, it produces the defensive toxin cantharidin. The subgenus Macrobasis is characterized by males having serrate or pectinate antennae, distinguishing it from the nominate subgenus Epicauta.
Epicauta albida
Neck-lined Blister Beetle
Epicauta albida, commonly known as the Neck-lined Blister Beetle, is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It belongs to the Albida group, a distinct species group within Epicauta characterized by specific adult anatomical features. The species is found in Central America and North America, where adults are typically associated with flowering vegetation.
Epicauta alphonsii
Epicauta alphonsii is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Horn in 1874. It is native to North America and belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous species often difficult to distinguish without close examination. Like other members of its family, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin. The species is represented by 265 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection, indicating it is relatively well-collected among North American Epicauta species.
Epicauta alpina
Epicauta alpina is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. It belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within the genus Epicauta. The species is known from North America, with museum records indicating 27 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection. Like other Epicauta species, it likely produces cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound characteristic of blister beetles.
Epicauta andersoni
Epicauta andersoni is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. The species belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous North American species known for producing the defensive compound cantharidin. Based on collection records from the Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside, E. andersoni is represented by 85 adult specimens. The species occurs in both Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Epicauta arizonica
Epicauta arizonica is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. The species is assigned to the subgenus Macrobasis within Epicauta. It is found in Central America and North America, with 326 observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other Epicauta species, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that causes blistering and is toxic to most vertebrates.
Epicauta aspera
blister beetle
Epicauta aspera is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Werner in 1944. It occurs in North America and has been observed feeding on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (snakeweed) in shortgrass prairie habitats of Oklahoma. Like other Epicauta species, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid compound that causes blistering upon contact with skin. The species is part of a diverse genus containing over 150 described species in North America.
Epicauta atrata
red-headed blister beetle
Epicauta atrata, commonly known as the red-headed blister beetle, is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It is distinguished by its red head and entirely black body. The species occurs in Central America and North America, including the Canadian province of Manitoba. Like other Epicauta species, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin. It has been documented attacking the eggs of Epicauta vittata, a crop pest found on the East Coast of North America.
Epicauta atrivittata
Black-striped Blister Beetle
Epicauta atrivittata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, occurring in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Epicauta, it produces cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound that is toxic to most vertebrates and causes blistering on contact with skin. The species is placed in the subgenus Macrobasis based on morphological characteristics.
Epicauta bispinosa
Epicauta bispinosa is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Werner in 1944. The species belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous species often difficult to distinguish without detailed examination. Like other Epicauta species, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin. The specific epithet 'bispinosa' refers to two spines, likely describing a diagnostic morphological feature of this species.
Epicauta brunnea
blister beetle
Epicauta brunnea is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Epicauta, it produces cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound that is toxic to most vertebrates and causes blistering upon contact with skin.
Epicauta callosa
Spot-necked Epicauta
Epicauta callosa is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the Spot-necked Epicauta. It occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Epicauta, it possesses the characteristic chemical defense of blister beetles: the ability to produce cantharidin, a potent irritant compound. The species was described by LeConte in 1866 and is represented in museum collections with moderate specimen numbers.
Epicauta caviceps
Epicauta caviceps is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Horn in 1873. It belongs to the subgenus Epicauta (Epicauta) and is known from North America. The species is represented by 100 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection at the University of California, Riverside, indicating it is a documented but not exceptionally abundant species within its genus. Like other members of Epicauta, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin.
Epicauta cicatrix
Blister beetle
Epicauta cicatrix is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Werner in 1951. The genus Epicauta is one of the largest in the family and contains species known for producing cantharidin, a defensive chemical compound. This species is part of the North American fauna of Epicauta, a group that includes numerous species often associated with grassland and prairie habitats. Like other members of its genus, it likely possesses chemical defenses derived from cantharidin production.
Epicauta conferta
Red-cornered Blister Beetle
Epicauta conferta is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, distributed across Central and North America. It is commonly known as the Red-cornered Blister Beetle due to its distinctive red and black coloration. The species has been observed feeding on fallen fruits of gum bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum) and is attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Epicauta costata
Four-ribbed Blister Beetle
Epicauta costata is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the Four-ribbed Blister Beetle. The species was described by LeConte in 1854. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other meloids, it produces cantharidin, a defensive compound that causes blistering upon contact with skin.
Epicauta cupraeola
Epicauta cupraeola is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, found across Central America and North America. As a member of the large genus Epicauta, it possesses the chemical defense characteristic of meloid beetles: cantharidin, a bitter, toxic terpenoid compound. The species was described by Dugès in 1869 and is represented by 209 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum's Meloidae holdings. Like other Epicauta species, adults are likely plant-feeders, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented.
Epicauta diversipubescens
Epicauta diversipubescens is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Maydell in 1934. As a member of the genus Epicauta, it belongs to a group known for producing cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound that causes blistering on skin and is toxic when ingested. The species is part of the subgenus Epicauta (Epicauta), one of the most species-rich lineages of blister beetles in North America. Specimens of this species are held in research collections, with 22 specimens documented in the Entomology Research Museum holdings as of 2010.
Epicauta fabricii
ashgray blister beetle
Epicauta fabricii, commonly known as the ashgray blister beetle, is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae. Adults feed on foliage of leguminous plants including honeylocust, black locust, alfalfa, sweet clover, wild indigo, soybean, and locoweed. Larvae are predatory, feeding on grasshopper eggs. The species belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis.
Epicauta ferruginea
Rust-colored Beetle
Epicauta ferruginea is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, found in North America. As a member of the genus Epicauta, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that causes blistering on contact with skin. The species is known from museum collections with substantial specimen holdings, indicating it is moderately common in its range.
Epicauta floridensis
Florida blister beetle
Epicauta floridensis is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, endemic to the southeastern United States. As a member of the large genus Epicauta, it shares the family's characteristic production of cantharidin, a defensive toxin. The species was described by Werner in 1944 and is distinguished from related Epicauta species by features of its Florida distribution and morphology. Like other Epicauta species, adults are likely associated with flowering vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Epicauta heterodera
Epicauta heterodera is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Horn in 1891. It belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous North American species. The species is known from North America, with museum holdings indicating it is represented in collections though not among the most commonly encountered Epicauta species. Like other blister beetles, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin.
Epicauta hirsutipubescens
Texas Thin-lined Epicauta
Epicauta hirsutipubescens is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by Maydell in 1934 and is classified in the subgenus Macrobasis of the genus Epicauta. Like other Epicauta species, it is expected to produce cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound that causes blistering and is toxic to most animals.
Epicauta immaculata
immaculate meloid, Brown Blister Beetle
Epicauta immaculata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the immaculate meloid or Brown Blister Beetle. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within Epicauta. Like other blister beetles, it possesses cantharidin, a defensive compound that can cause skin irritation.
Epicauta lauta
Epicauta lauta is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1885. It belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within the genus Epicauta. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with museum holdings indicating substantial collections from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin.
Epicauta longicollis
Epicauta longicollis is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by LeConte in 1853. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Epicauta, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that can cause blistering in humans and is toxic to livestock when ingested via contaminated hay. The species belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within Epicauta.
Epicauta maculata
spotted blister beetle
Epicauta maculata, commonly known as the spotted blister beetle, is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It belongs to the Epicauta maculata species group, a monophyletic clade comprising North American and South American species. The species is found in Central America and North America. Like other blister beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive compound that can cause skin blistering in humans and is toxic to livestock.
Epicauta maculifera
Epicauta maculifera is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Maydell in 1934. It belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within the large genus Epicauta. The species is found in North America. Like other blister beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin.
Epicauta magnomaculata
Epicauta magnomaculata is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Martin in 1932. The species is part of the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous species with difficult taxonomy. As with other Epicauta species, it likely possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin, a characteristic toxin of the family. The species name 'magnomaculata' (large-spotted) suggests distinctive maculation patterns, though specific details of its appearance require direct examination.
Epicauta normalis
Epicauta normalis is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. The species belongs to the large and taxonomically challenging genus Epicauta, which contains numerous species with variable coloration and pattern. As a member of Meloidae, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that causes blistering in vertebrates. The species is documented from Central America and North America, with museum holdings indicating it is represented by 186 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection.
Epicauta occidentalis
Epicauta occidentalis is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. The species is endemic to North America. Like other members of the genus Epicauta, it possesses defensive cantharidin, a toxic compound that causes blistering upon contact with skin. The specific epithet 'occidentalis' refers to its western distribution. The species is represented by 40 specimens in the Entomology Research Museum collection at the University of California, Riverside.
Epicauta ochrea
Ochre Beaded Blister Beetle
Epicauta ochrea is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the Ochre Beaded Blister Beetle. The species was described by LeConte in 1853 and is placed in the subgenus Macrobasis. It occurs across Central America and North America, with museum records indicating substantial collections from western regions. Like other Epicauta species, it likely produces cantharidin, a defensive compound that causes blistering on contact with skin.
Epicauta parvula
little blister beetle
Epicauta parvula is a small species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous North American species that are often difficult to distinguish. The species was described by Haldeman in 1852 and is known from North America. Like other blister beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive compound that can cause skin irritation. The specific epithet 'parvula' (meaning 'very small') refers to its diminutive size relative to other Epicauta species.
Epicauta pensylvanica
black blister beetle, black aster bug
Epicauta pensylvanica is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, commonly known as the black blister beetle or black aster bug. The species is characterized by its predominantly black coloration and is known to contain the defensive compound cantharidin, which can cause skin blistering upon contact. Adults are typically found on flowers of plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). The species occurs across North America and has been documented as a pest of soybean foliage in agricultural settings.
Epicauta polingi
Poling's Two-toned Blister Beetle
Epicauta polingi is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1944. The species is placed in the subgenus Macrobasis, distinguishing it from many other Epicauta species. It is known from both Central America and North America, with museum holdings indicating established populations in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other Epicauta species, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin.
Epicauta puncticollis
punctate blister beetle
Epicauta puncticollis, commonly known as the punctate blister beetle, is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae. It is found in Central America and North America. As with other Epicauta species, it likely produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that causes blistering and is toxic to most vertebrates.
Epicauta rehni
Epicauta rehni is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Maydell in 1934. The species is part of the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous species that are often difficult to distinguish without detailed examination. Like other members of its genus, it is expected to possess chemical defenses based on cantharidin, a toxic compound characteristic of blister beetles.
Epicauta sanguinicollis
Epicauta sanguinicollis is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, subgenus Epicauta. The species was described by LeConte in 1853. Like other members of its genus, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid compound. The specific epithet 'sanguinicollis' refers to blood-red coloration on the pronotum or 'neck' region. Museum holdings indicate it is represented by few specimens relative to more common congenerics, suggesting it may be naturally scarce or geographically restricted.
Epicauta straba
Epicauta straba is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1891. It is one of the most commonly collected Epicauta species in North American museum holdings, with 332 specimens documented in the Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside. The species occurs across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus, it is expected to produce cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound characteristic of blister beetles.
Epicauta stuarti
Epicauta stuarti is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, characterized by a black and orange color pattern that participates in a Müllerian mimicry complex with soldier beetles (Cantharidae). The species is found in North America, with records from the southwestern United States including Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Adults have been observed on flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (snakeweed) and are attracted to fermenting liquid baits in trapping studies. Like other Epicauta species, it produces cantharidin, a potent defensive chemical that causes blistering on skin and is toxic if ingested.
Epicauta subglabra
caragana blister beetle
Epicauta subglabra, commonly known as the caragana blister beetle, is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae. The species belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within the large genus Epicauta. Like other blister beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive toxin that causes blistering on contact with skin. The common name references its association with Caragana, a genus of leguminous shrubs.
Epicauta temexa
Epicauta temexa is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, described by Adams & Selander in 1979. It belongs to the subgenus Epicauta (Epicauta), a large and taxonomically challenging group of North American blister beetles. The species is recorded from Central America and North America, with museum holdings indicating established populations in the region. Like other Epicauta species, it likely produces cantharidin, a defensive terpenoid compound characteristic of the family.
Epicauta tenebrosa
Epicauta tenebrosa is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Werner in 1949. It belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous North and Central American species. Like other members of its genus, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidin. The species is documented from both Central America and North America, though specific details of its biology remain limited in published literature.
Epicauta ventralis
Dark-spotted Blister Beetle
Epicauta ventralis is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Werner in 1945. It belongs to the large genus Epicauta, which contains numerous North American species that are often difficult to distinguish. Like other blister beetles, it produces cantharidin, a defensive chemical compound. The species has been documented in the western portions of North America.
Epicauta vittata
striped blister beetle, old-fashioned potato beetle
Epicauta vittata is a blister beetle native to eastern North America, known for its distinctive black and yellow striped coloration and its status as a significant agricultural pest. Adults feed voraciously on a wide range of crop plants, particularly solanaceous species, and are capable of forming dense aggregations that move en masse through fields. The species contains cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid that poses serious health risks to livestock, particularly horses, when beetles are accidentally consumed in hay. The complex life cycle includes a mobile triungulin larval stage that parasitizes grasshopper egg cases before becoming a sedentary grub.
Epicauta wheeleri
Orange-necked Blister Beetle, ethereal beef weevil
Epicauta wheeleri is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, found in southwestern North America. It exhibits striking iridescence in desert sunlight and has pronounced body segmentation that resembles weevils, leading to the colloquial name "ethereal beef weevil" in southern Utah and Nevada. Despite this resemblance, it is not a true weevil. The species is often observed in and around cattle pastures.