Cantharidin-producing
Guides
Epicauta torsa
Twisted-horn Epicauta
Epicauta torsa is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae. The species belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis, characterized by distinctive antennal morphology. Like other Epicauta species, it produces the defensive compound cantharidin. The common name "Twisted-horn Epicauta" references its characteristic antennae.
Pyrota limbalis
Pyrota limbalis is a species of blister beetle (family Meloidae) in the tribe Pyrotini. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to a group of meloid beetles characterized by aposematic coloration and association with flowers. The species name 'limbalis' refers to marginal features, likely of the elytra or pronotum. It is one of approximately 30 described species in the genus Pyrota, which occurs primarily in the Americas.
Pyrota sinuata
Pyrota sinuata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Olivier in 1795. Like other members of the genus Pyrota, it is found in North America. The genus Pyrota is characterized by distinctive color patterns often involving orange, black, and white markings, and species within this genus are known to feed on flowers of Asteraceae. As with all meloid beetles, P. sinuata produces cantharidin, a toxic defensive compound that deters predators.