A long shot but...

Discussion forum for getting a butterfly identified.
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Martin
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 2:15 pm
Location: West London

A long shot but...

Post by Martin »

...anyone know what these are? The large one (female?) was nearly as big as my little finger! Taken in southern Spain.

Image

Martin.
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Trev Sawyer
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Post by Trev Sawyer »

Wooooooowww! They look great! I think they are a kind of oil/blister beetle (related to the ones they get "Spanish Fly" from). The family is Meloidae and from a quick scan around the web, I reckon they are berberomeloe majalis. I wouldn't touch them though, as such beetles are highly likely to exude a chemical called Cantharidin which will burn your skin...... very badly!
Trev
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