MELOIDAE - BLISTER BEETLES
Blister Beetles are medium to fairly large beetles named for their ability to exude their haemolymph when molested - the haemolymph contains the chemical Cantharidin which may cause blistering of the skin. They can be recognised by the fact that the pronotum is cylindrical and thinner than both the head and the domed wing cases. The body is elongate and somewhat soft and the antennae are thread-like or beaded. The tarsal formula is 5-5-4. Larvae are parasitic, often on bees, with eggs being laid close to nests which search for a host upon hatching. Adults are vegetarian, feeding on leaves and flowers.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Thanks to Carlos Aguilar Julio for identifying some of the images on this page.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith, Ivan Saxby and Chris Elder and are used with their permission.
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/index.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/aims.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/about_paraguay.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/wildlife.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/publications.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/mini_guides.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/tours.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/volunteer.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/library.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/museum.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/partners.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/contact.html
FIGURE 1 - Unidentified sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2 - Unidentified sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 3 - Lytta vidua. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 4 - Unidentified sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ivan Saxby March 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 5 - Pyrotta vittigera - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5

FIGURE 5