When a horse eats a blister beetle, it crushes the beetle and cantharidin seeps out . Cantharadin can remain potent months after a beetle has died. “If you accidentally crushed one of those bugs on your skin, it would cause a skin reaction or a blister,” said Swinker.
What problems will the blister beetle cause in a horse?
Symptoms in horses include sores or blisters on the tongue and in the mouth, colic, straining, increased temperature, depression, increased heart and respiratory rates, dehydration, sweating, diarrhea, bloody feces and frequent urination .
Can one blister beetle kill a horse?
A single beetle with that level of toxin will not injure a horse . The blister beetle toxin, called cantharidin, is an irritant and a vesicant, meaning it causes blisters, said Marc Mattix, a veterinary pathologist with Montana’s Veterinary Livestock Laboratory in Bozeman.
Why few beetles can kill a horse?
Blister beetles contain a toxic oily substance called cantharidin, a noxious defense mechanism that offers protection from predators. Cantharidin can severely injure or kill horses when even a small amount is ingested. ... The oily substance can contaminate the hay even if the beetles were crushed into the feedstuff.
Are blister beetles poisonous?
The welts or blisters on your skin are a reaction to cantharidin, an odorless, colorless chemical the beetle releases to protect itself against its enemies. Although cantharidin is highly toxic and dangerous to a blister beetle’s enemies , it’s not toxic to human skin.
What do blister beetles look like?
Size: Blister beetles are softbodied beetles that range in size from 1 to 2.5 cm in length. Color: Adults range in color from an ash gray to bright yellow with black stripes .
What states are blister beetles found?
Although blister beetles can be found in virtually all hay-producing states, University of Minnesota extension specialists note that they are most common in arid Southern and Plains states and where grasshoppers are commonplace because the beetles feed on grasshopper eggs.
How many blister beetles does it take to kill a horse?
“The size and health of the horse is relevant, as is the concentration of toxin and the number of beetles consumed by the horse.” Blodgett said research by John Capinera of the University of Florida demonstrated that a 550-pound horse would have to consume 50 blister beetles–each with five milligrams of toxin–to ...
How do you kill blister beetles?
Handpicking is a good way to control the beetles, but wear gloves to protect yourself from the toxin. Knock them into a container of soapy water where they will die , or shake a stem over a pan of soapy water.
What is cantharidin used for?
Historically, cantharidin has been used as an aphrodisiac, an abortifacient, and a veterinary medicine diuretic. In dermatology, topical cantharidin has been used as a vesicant for the treatment of warts and molluscum since the 1950s.
Should you pop a bite blister?
Blisters. If you develop blisters after being bitten by an insect, don’t burst them because they may become infected . Blisters don’t usually cause pain unless they rupture (burst) and expose the new skin underneath. If possible, use an adhesive bandage (plaster) to protect the blistered area.
Should I pop a blister beetle bite?
Signs of a reaction usually appear between 24 and 48 hours after contact. Irritation from a blister beetle is mostly just annoying, and shouldn’t leave any lasting skin damage. Mild reactions don’t require treatment and will heal on their own, though popping blisters can lead to infection .
What happens if a beetle bites you?
When the bite happens, the beetle releases a chemical substance that can cause the skin to blister . The blister usually heals within a few days and causes no permanent damage.
What is inside a blister?
Fluid collects under the damaged skin, cushioning the tissue underneath. This protects the tissue from further damage and allows it to heal. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid (serum) , but may be filled with blood (blood blisters
Can blister beetles fly?
Flying and mating: Males and females of Lytta magister apparently can smell others from a long way off because they fly in to join large groups of their species. Once there, males court females by climbing on top of potential mates and stroking their antennae.
Are blister beetles poisonous to dogs?
These beetles are also toxic to sheep, cattle, goats, dogs, cats , rabbits, rats and humans. So, here is some basic information to help you understand more about the blister beetle and the risks to horses.
