Livestock-poisoning

Guides

• Meloidae

  Blister Beetles

  Meloidae, commonly known as blister beetles, is a family of approximately 7,500 species worldwide within the order Coleoptera. Members are characterized by their production of cantharidin, a toxic terpenoid compound that serves as a potent chemical defense against predators. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in adult morphology, with some species displaying aposematic coloration while others are cryptically colored. Life histories are complex, typically involving hypermetamorphosis with mobile triungulin larvae that often parasitize grasshopper eggs or bee nests. Adults are primarily herbivorous, with many species feeding on flowers and foliage of various plants.

  hypermetamorphosistriungulincantharidinaposematismMüllerian-mimicrylivestock-poisoningalfalfa-pestflower-feedinggrasshopper-egg-parasitoidbee-nest-parasitechemical-defensetraditional-medicineanti-cancer-compoundspermatophore-transfersize-assortative-mating