blister beetle

blister beetle

n.

Any of various beetles of the family Meloidae, such as the Spanish fly, that secrete cantharidin, a substance that blisters the skin and is toxic to livestock that consume hay contaminated with the beetles. Also called meloid.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

blister beetle

n

(Animals) any beetle of the family Meloidae, many of which produce a secretion that blisters the skin. See also Spanish fly

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

blis′ter bee`tle

n.

any of various beetles of the family Meloidae, many of which produce a secretion capable of blistering the skin.

[1810–20]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

blister beetle - beetle that produces a secretion that blisters the skin meloid beetle - insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings family Meloidae, Meloidae - blister beetles oil beetle - any of various beetles that exude an oily substance from the leg joints that deters enemies Spanish fly - green beetle of southern Europe

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