A blister beetle, especially of the genus Lytta, known for producing the toxic compound cantharidin; also called Spanish Fly.
From Latin 'cantharis,' derived from Greek 'kantharos' meaning 'beetle.' The term has been used in natural history since ancient Roman times.
The most famous cantharis is Lytta vesicatoria, the 'Spanish Fly,' which isn't even from Spain—it's actually found across Europe and Asia, and the name 'Spanish Fly' comes from a medieval misunderstanding!
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