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COUSIN OF THE SPANISH FLY


COUSIN OF THE SPANISH FLY
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1306 W: 0 N: 2925] (8635)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.6
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Insects around the world, Insects' World, Insects (Insecta) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-28 18:13
Viewed: 1102
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today a beetles species well known as typical "spring insect" - Meloe proscarabaeus (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

Body size: 18-30 mm (males are smaller than females, here is a female)
Habitat: open grassy areas, often on sandy substrate.

Blister beetles (Meloidae) are not a typical beetle family, and I hope that below you will find some answers why :>

1.The first reason is hypermetamorphosis. As all other beetles also members of this family can be characterized by complete metamorphosis (egg-larva-pupa-imago). But in oposite to all other Coleoptera families (except Ripiphoridae) in case of Meloidae there are a few different types of larva (in other groups there is only one). Blister beetle larvae are insectivorous, and the youngest stages are waiting on the flowers for adult bees to use them as vectors (you can see such larva thanks to Patrick's (pat) photo.
They travel with bees to their nests where they can easy find a food - immature bee stages.
Interesting is that only larvae live as parasitoids, while adult blister beetles prefer flowers or leaves of plants.

2. The second reason is cantharidin ;>
We all know what the substance is. We also know that it was sometimes used by human during more or less "romantic moments" ;>
But of course beetles do not produce it especially for human. This chemican substance is used by blister beetles genera Mylabris and Lytta in self defence. Among them the most famous is Lytta vesicatoria better know as Spanish fly (please note that name does not include word BEETLE!).
Interesting is that Spanish flies were used by ancient Chinese to produce the first known chemican bombs! Of course it was not the only component of this weapon, the other were: arsenic, aconite, and one of the most important... human dung! :>

Of course species from the picture is not so "dangerous" for human, even if it can use some "oily" chemical substances against predators' attacks...

I hope you will like this strange creature ;>
cedryk, mcoupland, jcoowanitwong, anel, JORAPAVI, sily, meyerd has marked this note useful
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To meyerd: laboratorycicindela 1 04-01 11:08
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 966 W: 52 N: 1694] (5184)
  • [2007-03-28 18:16]

Hej,
Bardzo ladnie udalo Ci sie zdjac tego trudnego robala. Caly cylindryczny i lsniacy, a w dodatku ciemny. Swietny detal i idealna ekspozycja na tak jasnym tle.
Naprawde swietna robota.
Serdecznosci,
Michal

Hello Rodomir,
A nice shot and crisp clear picture. Love to see intricate texture. This Blister beetle is well shown against sandy background.
JC

Hi Radomir, This is a very good photo. The white crystalline BG contrasts the beetle very well. Good details as well.

TFS, warm regards, Kiran.

  • Great 
  • OzBY Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 182 W: 2 N: 312] (1085)
  • [2007-03-29 17:32]

Hello Radomir,
Great close up picture of this beetle.
Great sharpness, position, background and color.

Oz

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1723 W: 0 N: 3903] (15686)
  • [2007-03-30 6:05]

Hello Radomir,
Amazing beetle you show us here. I think I already saw it too. The larva also looks special. Your picture is sharp and we can see very useful deatils in case to identify one.
Best regards
Anne

Hola Radomir,
Con lo difícil que es fotografiar estos insectos por su tamaño y sus reflejos, este te ha salido muy bien de luz y nitidez, enhorabuena. Un cordial saludo

Radomir,
i want to compliment you on this Meloë shot. The females are dark and therefore difficult to shoot properly, but you did it again very well, obviously with a diffuser- flash.

More than thirty years ago I was working with Meloids (Lytta; Epicauta) to elucidate the biosynthesis of Cantharidin and to study the hormonal control of hypermetamorphosis. To do this, I reared them from the egg to adult in the lab. Maybe I will post an old picture once just for you and Patrick, for good old times sake! Thanks for recalling old memories!
Cheers,
Dietrich

  • Great 
  • Marx44 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 174 W: 95 N: 599] (2124)
  • [2007-12-31 12:36]

Bardzo wyraźne i szczegółowe zdjęcie jestem pod wrażeniem

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