Blister Beetles!
October 18th, 2007 by Kelley
Guess what I came across the other day while at work…a blister beetle (Meloe sp.). Blister beetles get their name from a chemical they produce called Cantharidin which is a highly toxic irritant that causes blistering (want to see a pic?). The compound, which is also found in a few other insects, has been used as an aphrodisiac in the past. Interestingly enough, the compound is also used in wart removal ointments. The beetles produce the compound as a defense mechanism. When disturbed they curl up and play dead and exude the chemical from their joints, this behavior is referred to as reflex bleeding.
Another cool fact about blister beetles is that the larvae crawl up on flowers and wait for solitary bees to come by so they can grab a hold of them and be transported by the bee back to the nest. Once back in the nest, the larvae feed on the eggs and larvae of the bees, as well as the pollen that is brought back. Once the beetle pupates, it crawls out of the nest and back into the soil to complete its life cycle and become an adult.
What’s not to like about this insect?
Okay, so send me some of that so I can get rid of the plantar’s wart I’ve had on the bottom of my foot for four years. That’s right. FOUR YEARS. Grrrrrr… And yes, I’ve seen three doctors about it and no one wants to surgically remove it, yet nothing they try has worked.
gross
how CAN somebody like that beetle? its the worst thing on earth! of course, it may be cool, but completley DISGUSTING!!!!!!
The dematologist I see used some of the ointment to get rid of pre-cancerous skin cells on my nose! yes, my nose did blister and swell but the effects are temporary, will heal and I’m now cancer free.
I think it’s pretty cool, but i still wouldn’t want to get blisters from it.
man i already hate bugs in general
I’ve used the canthardin from these beetles for over 20 years to help rid people of plantar’s warts.
The chemical is super potent and super effective.
The negative thing about it is that most folks say their foot is pretty tender for a few days.
I have had a rather large wart on my hand for a long time and each time I would go to my dermatologist he would freeze it and it took like 7 times before I said enough already, and besides it didn’t look like it was doing much good. So today I had another appointment and he was ready to freeze it again for the 8th time and I told him I didn’t wanna freeze it again so he put Canthardin on it and it did blister, but he didn’t tell me any instructions like if I pop the blister or it’ll pop on it’s own…nothing. So I’m kinda on my own as far as that goes. Hope all goes well.
That’s a cool and helpful bug I say. We use cantharone in our clinic to treat wart. It will cause blister or discomfort but yeah…it will work in the long run. However, people with blister should pop their blister with sterile needle or sharp instrument…why, to avoid infection. Don’t peel the skin…let the liquid drain. Put polysporin and cover with band aid to avoid infection and change band aid everyday.
I would like to know where you can get “blister beetle” or rather
Canthaaridin to treat warts. My son need to get rid of some plantar
warts on the bottom of his foot. I would like to get his doctor in touch
with this information. The local dermatologists here do not have access
to this. Is it considered to be a homeopathic treatment?
I didn’t find it too interesting when i saw one crawling across my kitchen floor.. was the ugliest bug i have ever seen. I had never heard of a blister beetle until i looked it up online a couple of days after. All I can say is I’m glad that i didn’t pick it up with my bare hands to throw it out…
I went to see a podiatrist and they applied the “beetle juice” to my plantars warts (approx 30 on one foot!) and I hope this gets rid of them. I have had the warts for a few years now and have been resistant to freezing and salylic acid patches. Just a warning…if you have as many as I do it is NOT FUN!! I am unable to walk on my foot. Hopefully it takes care of the warts though! keeping my fingers crossed!
[...] Beetle juice, anyone? Close-up of a blister beetle playing dead: Image via Bugs for Thugs [...]
There is research that proves the use of duct tape is more successful at removing plantars warts than either salycilic acid or burning/crio freezing. (I know I’m not spelling these right!) It is currently pulling out my daughter’s on her foot.
it´s so beautiful. i´m fascinated by it´s power – what a mighty beetle!!
even if it´s as scary as it gets. just even more amazing.