Defensive-chemistry

Guides

• 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.

  blister-beetlecantharidinMacrobasisMeloidaeEpicautiniCentral-AmericaNorth-Americadefensive-chemistryterpenoid-toxin

• Forelius

  Forelius is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, distributed across the Neotropical region from the southern United States to Argentina. The genus comprises at least 18 described species, including F. pruinosus, which has been documented as a native mutualist with plants and as a participant in ecological interactions with sea turtle nests. Species in this genus produce characteristic defensive secretions containing iridodial and iridomyrmecin.

  antsDolichoderinaeNeotropicalnative-mutualistdefensive-chemistrysea-turtle-ecologyplant-ant-mutualismiridodialiridomyrmecinLeptomyrmecini

• Gyrinus gibber

  whirligig beetle

  Gyrinus gibber is a species of whirligig beetle (family Gyrinidae) described by LeConte in 1868. Like other members of its family, it inhabits the water surface of freshwater habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Whirligig beetles are named for their characteristic rapid, circling swimming patterns on water surfaces.

  aquaticsurface-dwellinggregariousdefensive-chemistry

• Lycus

  Netwing Beetles

  Lycus is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, characterized by soft, flexible elytra with a distinctive reticulate (net-like) venation pattern. These beetles are notable for their aposematic coloration, typically featuring bold black and orange or red patterns that advertise their chemical defenses to predators. The genus is widely distributed and includes species that frequent flowers, where adults feed on pollen and nectar.

  net-winged-beetleLycidaeaposematic-colorationflower-visitorMüllerian-mimicryreticulate-elytradefensive-chemistry

• Lytta

  blister beetles

  Lytta is a genus of blister beetles in the family Meloidae, established by Fabricius in 1775. The genus comprises approximately 70 described species in North America and over 100 species worldwide, making it one of the more diverse genera in its tribe. Species are distributed across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Members are known for producing cantharidin, a defensive compound that causes blistering upon contact with skin.

  blister-beetlescantharidinSpanish-flyMeloidaedefensive-chemistryagricultural-pestreflex-bleedingchemosensory-genestriungulin-larvaebee-parasitismlocust-egg-predation

• Meloe dianella

  Meloe dianella is a species of blister beetle (family Meloidae) first described by Pinto and Selander in 1970. It belongs to the genus Meloe, commonly known as oil beetles, which are characterized by their defensive production of cantharidins. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia). Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a parasitic life cycle involving solitary bees, though specific details for this species remain undocumented.

  blister-beetleoil-beetleMeloidaeMeloeparasitebee-parasiteNorth-AmericaCanadian-faunaColeopteracantharidindefensive-chemistry

• Paederus grandis

  Paederus grandis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Austin in 1877. The species was previously known as Paederus lecontei until Swift and Ray (2010) synonymized the two names under the older epithet grandis. It is recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California) and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it likely possesses defensive chemistry, though specific studies on this species are lacking.

  rove-beetleStaphylinidaepederindermatitisdefensive-chemistrySouthwestern-USMexicosynonymy

• Pergidae

  pergid sawflies

  Pergidae is the third-largest family of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta), with approximately 450 described species. The family is distributed primarily in the Australasian and Neotropical regions, with South America and Australia representing the greatest diversity. Members exhibit considerable morphological variation in antennae structure, ranging from simple to pectinate or bipectinate forms, and frequently display sexual dimorphism. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests or livestock toxins, while others have been evaluated as biological control agents.

  sawflySymphytagregarious-larvaelivestock-toxinbiological-controlEucalyptus-pestdefensive-chemistrysexual-dimorphismapterous-speciesmaternal-care

• Photinus ignitus

  Ignited Firefly

  Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.

  fireflybioluminescencemate-choiceseasonal-plasticitynuptial-giftaggressive-mimicryLampyridaeColeopteraNorth-Americaflash-communicationlucibufaginsexual-selectionoperational-sex-ratiocold-lightphotocytesluciferinluciferasenocturnalcourtshippredation-defenseinsect-declinelight-pollutionhabitat-lossinsecticide-exposuresoil-dwelling-larvaeglowwormpredatory-larvaesoft-bodied-preysnailsslugswormssoil-insectsbiological-controlflash-patternfemale-choicemale-choicebody-sizelantern-sizereproductive-investmentegg-provisioningspermatophoreflash-signalmating-successselectivitybreeding-seasondusknightvegetationgrasslawnsforestsfieldsedgescanopyairspaceColumbia-MarylandWashington-Baltimore-areaUniversity-of-Virginia-studylight-pollution-impactmating-disruptionurbanizationresidual-insecticideslawn-treatmentweather-cyclesfood-availabilitylarval-predationpopulation-fluctuationbanner-yearspectacleJuly-4thIndependence-DayMother-Nature's-fireworkspyrotechnictwinklinggalaxycold-light-efficiencyno-heat-productionphotocyte-cellsspecialized-light-organterminal-abdominal-segmentslightly-coloredgiant-eyesflash-detectionvisual-acuitynocturnal-visionchemical-ecologydefensive-chemistrysteroidal-pyronestoad-toxinsspider-repellentbird-repellentfemme-fatalepredatory-exploitationchemical-acquisitiondefense-sequestrationnuptial-feedingreproductive-successsexual-conflictflash-manipulationphotographic-challengeflash-rechargefemale-contortionflash-directionalityaimed-signalmale-expendabilityfemale-investmentoffspring-productionbattery-lifeconservation-concernpopulation-monitoringcitizen-scienceBoston-Museum-of-Sciencefirefly-data-projectAllegheny-National-Forestsynchronous-firefliesPhotinus-carolinusPhoturis-pennsylvanicaPennsylvania-Firefly-FestivalFIRE-TeamLynn-FaustSara-LewisThomas-EisnerAerial-FirebaughKyle-Hayneschemical-ecology-pioneerexperimental-studyfield-observationnatural-historybehavioral-ecologyethologyjournal-articlepeer-reviewed-researchscientific-investigationinsect-conservationnocturnal-insectbeetlesoft-winged-beetlenot-true-bugnot-flyElateroideaPolyphagaElateriformiaLampyrinaeLucidotiniaccepted-nameFall-192736-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaBug-of-the-WeekEntomology-Todayincomplete-informationdata-limitedresearch-opportunityfurther-study-needed