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Blister beetles are of the family Meloidae, so called for their defensive secretion of a blistering agent, cantharidin. About 2,500 species are known worldwide.University of Florida, AskIFAS Blister Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Meloidae) Many are conspicuous and some are aposematism colored, announcing their toxicity to would-be .
Cantharidin, a poisonous chemical that causes blistering of the skin, is secreted as a defensive agent. It is used medically to remove warts and is collected for this purpose from species of the genera Mylabris and Lytta, especially Lytta vesicatoria, better known as "Spanish fly".
The largest genus, Epicauta, contains many species toxic to horses. A few beetles consumed in a single feeding of alfalfa hay may be lethal.University of Arizona VDL Blister Beetle Poisoning in Horses In semiarid areas of the western United States, modern harvesting techniques may contribute to cantharidin content in harvested forage. The practice of hay conditioning, crushing the stalks to promote drying, also crushes any beetles present and causes the release of cantharidin into the fodder. Blister beetles are attracted to alfalfa and weeds during bloom. Reducing weeds and timing harvests before and after bloom are sound management practices. Using equipment without hay conditioners may reduce beetle mortality and allow them to escape before baling.University of Colorado Extension Blister Beetles in Forage Crops
Tribe Eleticini
Tribe Spasticini
Tribe Eupomphini
Tribe Lyttini
Tribe Meloini
Tribe MylabriniTribe Pyrotini
Tribe Sitarini
Genera incertae sedis
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