Meloidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 699 words | Copyright

Meloidae (oil beetles, blister beetles; subclass Pterygota, order Coleoptera) Family of beetles, of which the ground-living species have a large, swollen abdomen, reduced elytra, and no wings. Others occur on flowers, are parallel-sided, have normal elytra, have warning coloration, and are fully winged. Meloidae contain cantharidin, a toxin producing skin blisters. Powdered elytra of Lytta vesicatoria (Spanish fly) is used in minute quantities as a supposed aphrodisiac. Larvae are minute and louse-like, with strong claws, and are insect parasites. Some attach to a bee host at a flower and are transported back to the nest, where they feed on host eggs and food stores. There are 2000 species.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Meloidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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