Blister beetles are a family of beetles known for releasing a chemical agent cantharidin to defend themselves. There are around 7500 species assigned to this family.
Blister beetles are divided into four subfamilies, further, split into several genera. Most of these genera are grouped into separate tribes, with certain exceptions.
1. Eleticinae
Derideini
Anthicoxenus
Deridea
Iselma
Iselmeletica
Morphozonitini
Ceriselma
Morphozonitis
Steniselma
Eleticini
Eletica
Spasticini
Eospasta
Protomeloe
Spastica
Xenospasta
2. Meloinae
Cerocomini
Anisarthrocera
Cerocoma
Diaphorocera
Rhampholyssa
Rhampholyssodes
Epicautini
Denierella
Epicauta
Linsleya
Psalydolytta
Eupomphini
Cordylospasta
Cysteodemus
Eupompha
Megetra
Phodaga
Pleropasta
Tegrodera
Lyttini
Acrolytta
Afrolytta
Alosimus
Berberomeloe
Cabalia
Dictyolytta
Eolydus
Epispasta
Lagorina
Lydomorphus
Lydulus
Lydus
Lytta
Lyttolydulus
Lyttonyx
Megalytta
Muzimes
Oenas
Parameloe
Paroenas
Physomeloe
Prionotolytta
Prolytta
Pseudosybaris
Sybaris
Teratolytta
Tetraolytta
Trichomeloe
Meloini
Cyaneolytta
Lyttomeloe
Meloe
Spastomeloe
Spastonyx
Mylabrini
Actenodia
Ceroctis
Croscherichia
Hycleus
Lydoceras
Mimesthes
Mylabris
Paractenodia
Pseudabris
Semenovilia
Xanthabris
Pyrotini
Bokermannia
Brasiliota
Denierota
Glaphyrolytta
Lyttamorpha
Picnoseus
Pseudopyrota
Pyrota
Wagneronota
Genera that are not assigned to a tribe, i.e., incertae sedis
Australytta
Calydus
Gynapteryx
Oreomeloe
Pseudomeloe
3. Nemognathinae
Horiini
Cissites
Horia
Synhoria
Nemognathini
Cochliophorus
Euzonitis
Gnathium
Gnathonemula
Leptopalpus
Megatrachelus
Nemognatha
Palaestra
Palaestrida
Pseudozonitis
Rhyphonemognatha
Stenodera
Zonitis
Zonitodema
Zonitolytta
Zonitomorpha
Zonitoschema
Sitarini
Allendeselazaria
Apalus
Ctenopus
Glasunovia
Nyadatus
Sitaris
Sitarobrachys
Stenoria
Genera incertae sedis
Hornia
Onyctenus
Sitaromorpha
Tricrania
4. Tetraonycinae
Tetraonycini
Meloetyphlus
Opiomeloe
Tetraonyx
Physical Description and Identification
Adult
Size: 0.375-1 in (0.95-2.5 cm)
Color:The colors vary greatly from yellow to gray, with stripes seen on some of them. This aposematic coloration helps them warn off predators.
Other Characteristic Features: Their bodies are soft, with deflexed heads and long legs.
Larva
The larvae go through several instars in this stage, with their bodies elongating with each molt.
Pupa
Pupation occurs inside a chamber excavated in the last instar.
Egg
Female moths lay eggs in masses on or under the host plant.
Quick Facts
Lifespan
3 months
Distribution
Throughout the Americas, primarily in the United States.
Habitat
Arid areas
Seasons active
Summer to early fall
Host Plants
Alfalfa and soybean
Diet of adults
Flowers and leaves of plants like amaranth, aster, legume, and nightshade
Identifying the Damage Caused by Them
Blister beetles secrete a toxic chemical called cantharidin. While not fatal, blisters and irritation are very likely to occur if ingested.
Did You Know
The larvae feed on insects like bees and grasshoppers, which make up a vast portion of their diet.
Swedish entomologist Leonard Gyllenhaal first described this family of beetles in 1810.
