Blister beetle

family of beetles

The blister beetle is a beetle of the family Meloidae. They secrete cantharidin, a chemical that causes blisters. About 7,500 species are known worldwide. They are poisonous to predators.

Blister beetles
Hycleus lugens: notice the warning colouration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Meloidae
Gyllenhaal, 1810
Subfamilies

Eleticinae
Meloinae
Nemognathinae
Tetraonycinae

Blister beetles go through several larval stages. The larvae mainly attack bees. They also eat grasshopper eggs.

Blister beetles are attracted to alfalfa and weeds during bloom.