Toxic-beetle

Guides

• Meloe dugesi

  Meloe dugesi is a species of blister beetle (family Meloidae) described by Champion in 1891. It belongs to the genus Meloe, commonly known as oil beetles, which are characterized by their defensive production of cantharidins. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits the typical Meloe life cycle involving triungulin larvae that parasitize solitary bees.

  blister-beetleoil-beetleMeloeMeloidaeparasitebee-parasitetriungulincantharidinNorth-AmericaCentral-AmericaColeopterainsectbeetlesolitary-bee-parasitedefensive-secretiontoxic-beetleChampion-1891

• Paederus obliteratus

  Paederus obliteratus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1878. It is one of many Paederus species known for containing pederin, a toxic compound in their hemolymph that can cause dermatitis and blistering when contacting human skin. The species occurs across eastern and southern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a predatory beetle found in various terrestrial habitats.

  rove-beetleStaphylinidaePaederuspederindermatitistoxic-beetlemedical-entomology