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Mylabris pustulata
Beetles in the Coleoptera family Meloidae are commonly known as blister beetles. There are approximately 2,500 known species worldwide. They are known as "blister beetles" because they secrete cantharidin, a poisonous chemical causing blistering of the skin and painful swelling. Cantharidin 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.
Blister beetles are hypermetamorphic, going through several larval stages, the first of which is typically a mobile triungulin. The larvae are insectivorous, mainly attacking bees, though a few feed on grasshopper eggs; while sometimes considered parasitoids, it appears that in general, the meloid larva consumes the immature host along with its provisions, and can often survive on the provisions alone, thus they do not truly qualify. The adults sometimes feed on flowers and leaves of plants, such as in the families Amaranthaceae, Compositae, Leguminosae, and Solanaceae.
Spotted on Feb 24, 2013
Submitted on Feb 24, 2013
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