Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA.  When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints.  The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.

filename: Epicauta7
Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA. When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints. The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.

filename: Epicauta7
Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA.  When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints.  The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.

filename: Epicauta7
Epicauta pardalis - Blister Beetle (Meloidae). Arizona, USA. When bothered, blister beetles exude a potent toxin (Cantharadin) from their leg joints. The chemical causes painful blisters where it touches human skin.

filename: Epicauta7
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013