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Spanish fly
Lytta vesicatoria
38.6028, -0.0472059
Field Notes
Description:
Also known as the blister beetle due to the amount of cantharadin poison carried in their bodies which can cause a very nasty blistering if it comes into contact with your skin. This is an extract from the biodiversity library on poisonous nature:
This beetle is found primarily in warm climates. The poisonous liquid produced by the "Spanish fly" causes festering blisters on skin contact, and contact with the eyes can even cause blindness. A deadly dose is only 30 milligrams. One gram is enough to cause symptoms in 5,000 people. Symptoms are a painful erection in men, bloody diarrhea and intestinal problems. There have even been cases of damage to the heart, kidneys or nervous system.
Habitat:
seen in a very dry open uninhabited area covered in wild flowers and several elm trees, leading on to a fresh water stream further down the path.
Notes:
The plant was also absolutely covered in red spider mites.
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