meloid

Definitions

Any beetle of the taxonomic family Meloidae; a blister beetle.

Equivalents

Examples

“Cantharidin is sometimes referred to as Spanish fly⟳ because of its derivation from adults of the large meloid Lytta vesicatoria that is commonly found in Spain; it is a potent vesicant with a putative function as an aphrodisiac.”

“Meloids are herbivorous as adults, and their larvae are parasites of bees or eat⟳ grasshopper eggs.”

“Cantharidin is also a potent blistering agent.[…]Individual meloids may contain⟳ as much as 17 milligrams of cantharidin, or 10% of live⟳ weight.”

“2009, "Coleoptera", entry in Vincent H. Resh, Ring⟳ T. Cardé (editors), Encyclopedia of Insects, page 198, Although meloids are known to produce⟳ cantharidin, transfer⟳ of this compound during meloid mating has not been documented.”

CEFR level