meloid

plural meloids

1. biologyAny beetle of the taxonomic family Meloidae; a blister beetle.

   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.

   3 more 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.

   1981, Murry Blum, Chemical Defenses of Arthropods, page 20

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

   2002, Frank N. Young, Jr.; Gene Kritsky, A Survey of Entomology, page 200

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

   2005, Thomas Eisner, Maria Eisner, Melody V. S. Siegler, Secrets Weapons: Defenses of Insects, Spiders, Scorpions, and Others Many-Legged Creatures, page 221