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. When molested the first reaction is usually to fold the head and legs under the body and "play dead", the release of the caustic liquid being typically reserved for more serious danger.
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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, Arne Lesterhuis, Ivan Saxby and Chris Elder and are used with their permission.
Gallery 3: Subfamily Meloinae Tribe Tribe Epicautini
FIGURE 3a - Epicauta adspersa - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 3b-c - Epicauta cf. excavata - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith December 2012).
FIGURE 3d - Epicauta cf. tristis - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 3e - Epicauta floydwerneri - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ivan Saxby March 2008).
FIGURE 3f - Epicauta grammica - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith April 2010).
FIGURE 3f - Epicauta grammica - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith April 2010).
FIGURE 3g-h - Epicauta cf. griseonigra - Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 3i - Epicauta leopardina - Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 3j-k - Epicauta cf. luteolineata - Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 3l - Epicauta vidua. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007).
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FIGURE 1a
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Gallery 1: Subfamily Nemognathinae Tribe Horiini
FIGURE 1a - Cissites maculata - Departamento Presidente Hayes (Arne Lesterhuis October 2008).
Gallery 2: Subfamily Meloinae Tribe Pyrotini
FIGURE 2a - Pyrota vittigera - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith November 2009).
FIGURE 2b - Pyrota vittigera - Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith September 2006).
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FIGURE 2a
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FIGURE 2b
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FIGURE 3a
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FIGURE 3b
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FIGURE 3c
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FIGURE 3d
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FIGURE 3e
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FIGURE 3f
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FIGURE 3g
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FIGURE 3h
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FIGURE 3i
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FIGURE 3j
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FIGURE 3k
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FIGURE 3l
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Gallery 4: Subfamily Meloinae Tribe Tribe Epicautini (awaiting identification)
FIGURE 4a - Epicauta sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007).
FIGURE 4b - Epicauta sp. - Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith February 2010).
FIGURE 4c - Epicauta ? sp. - PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 4d - Epicauta ? sp. - Cruce Filadelfia, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 4e - Epicauta sp. - PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 4f - Epicauta sp. - Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 4g - Epicauta ? sp. - Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2015).
FIGURE 4h - Lesion caused by Cantharidin "burn" of Epicauta leopardina (Paul Smith February 2015).
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FIGURE 4a
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FIGURE 4b
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FIGURE 4c
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FIGURE 4d
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FIGURE 4d
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FIGURE 4d
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FIGURE 4e
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FIGURE 4e
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FIGURE 4f
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FIGURE 4f
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FIGURE 4f
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FIGURE 4g
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FIGURE 4h
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