I’ve never had the misfortune of being burned by a blister beetle. I spent a good part of my youth picking up all sorts of animals. I’ve been burned by saddleback and Io moth caterpillars. If the blister beetle is anything like that, it’s a “pleasure” I can live without. Last fall dozens of these large insects were in a park nearby. I carefully bagged one to bring home and photograph. It was a patient model despite it’s intimidating name.
Blister beetles are named for a poisonous chemical (cantharidin) that they can release when disturbed. It is caustic enough to blister your skin. Cantharidin is used medicinally to treat warts.
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