Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Fly blister

a cantharidal blister caused by discharge of a vesicating body fluid by certain beetles, particularly members of the family Meloidae which produce cantharidin, e.g., lytta (Cantharis) vesicatoria, the notorious Spanish fly; non-cantharidin vesicating fluid is produced by other beetles, such as rove beetles (family Staphylinidae), especially the genus Paederus, whose fluid, on contact with the skin, produces an intensely painful blister.