Identification of cantharidin in false blister beetles (Coleoptera, Oedemeridae) from florida

Cantharidin, a potent vesicant and antifeedant, is identified for the first time in two oedemerid beetles from the western hemisphere. Amounts of the substance per beetle were found to range from 2 to 7 μg inHeliocis repanda and from 15 to 35 μg inOxycopis thoracica. Females had two to three times more cantharidin than males of the same species. Cantharidin loads of these beetles are sufficient to irritate human skin.