Family Meloidae refers to a family of beetles commonly known as blister beetles or oil beetles. These insects belong to the order Coleoptera, which encompasses the beetles, and the superfamily Tenebrionoidea. The family Meloidae comprises approximately 2,500 species distributed worldwide, with the highest diversity observed in drier regions.
Blister beetles are characterized by their elongated and soft bodies, ranging in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. They often exhibit vibrant colors like metallic green, black, or red, which serve as a warning signal to predators due to their ability to produce and release cantharidin, a toxic substance. This unique defense mechanism has earned them their common name, as their contact with human skin can cause painful blisters.
Blister beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The larvae are often associated with solitary bees or grasshopper nests, as they rely on these hosts for food resources. They are elongated, worm-like creatures with distinct body segments.
Adult blister beetles primarily feed on flowers, foliage, and pollen, playing a vital role in pollination. Some species are also known to feed on other insects, like grasshopper eggs, thereby serving as natural biological control agents.
The taxonomy of the Meloidae family is still evolving. The classification is based on various morphological features, including body shape, presence or absence of wings, and genitalia structure. The family Meloidae contains several subfamilies, including Meloinae, Nemognathinae, Eleticinae, and Tetraonycinae, among others.
Overall, blister beetles are an intriguing and diverse group of
