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Blister Beetles / False Blister Beetles

Blister beetles are in the family Meloidae. There are about 400 species of this family in N.America. They are soft bodied with round heads and long legs. They resemble soldier beetles but have a visible neck . They usually feed on nectar or pollen or eat the flower. When squeezed they release a skin blistering irritating substance. Cantharidin is believed to be the harmful chemical. False blister beetles closely resemble the blister beetles. They are in the family Oedemeridae.

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