Blister Beetle, lateral view

Blister Beetle Blister beetles are of the family Meloidae, they are called blister beetles as the chemical they secrete in defense is the blistering agent cantharidin. Some species are brightly coloured to warn predators of the danger whilst others such as the one pictured here are more conspicuous. Although toxic, cantharidin has been used in folk medicine and more recently its properties appear in some preparations for topical ointments used to treat skin infections. Width of Image 1.5 centimetres