blister beetles
Skin-irritating insects
Blister beetles are a family of insects whose bodies contain cantharidin, a chemical that causes blisters on skin contact.
Some species are agricultural pests.
The dried bodies of certain blister beetles, particularly the emerald-green Spanish fly, have historically been used as an aphrodisiac—though the substance is toxic and potentially fatal.
Cantharidin-producing emerald insect
- vesicantAgent causing blisters
- aphrodisiacArousal-inducing substance
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
toxin · chemical defense · potency · extract · compound · historical · medicinal · pharmacology
Order containing beetles
- entomologyStudy of insects
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
mandibles · arthropod · exoskeleton · metamorphosis · thorax · abdomen · hexapod · chitin
Organism's natural environment
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- desertTo leave behind completely
- meadowGrassy field for grazing
- gardenCultivated plant area
field · arid · temperate · distribution · lifecycle · predator · prey · hypermetamorphosis
Inflammation of the skin
- skin irritationInflamed epidermal condition
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- burningCombustion in progress
vesicles · redness · swelling · pain · lesion · wound · exposure · first aid
Harm to cultivated plants
- alfalfaForage crop legume
- infestationPest takeover situation
- agriculturalOf farming practices
- gardenCultivated plant area
soybeans · tomatoes · potatoes · economic loss · defoliation · control measures · pesticide · monitoring
Spanish fly
Cantharidin-producing emerald insect
- vesicantAgent causing blisters
- aphrodisiacArousal-inducing substance
- secretionSubstance released by glands
defense mechanism · toxin · chemical defense · potency · extract · compound · historical · medicinal · pharmacology · veterinary
coleoptera
Order containing beetles
- entomologyStudy of insects
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
larvae · mandibles · arthropod · exoskeleton · metamorphosis · thorax · abdomen · hexapod · chitin · molting
habitat
Organism's natural environment
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- desertTo leave behind completely
- meadowGrassy field for grazing
garden · field · arid · temperate · distribution · lifecycle · predator · prey · hypermetamorphosis · parasitoid
dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
- skin irritationInflamed epidermal condition
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- inflammationProtective tissue response
burning · vesicles · redness · swelling · pain · lesion · wound · exposure · first aid · treatment
crop damage
Harm to cultivated plants
- alfalfaForage crop legume
- infestationPest takeover situation
- agriculturalOf farming practices
garden · soybeans · tomatoes · potatoes · economic loss · defoliation · control measures · pesticide · monitoring · threshold
blister beetlesladybugs
Spotted red beetles
beneficial insects · honeybees · pollinators · lacewings · praying mantises
blister, beetle, blisters, blistered, blistering, beetles, beetling