A Spotting in Mojoda: My Encounter with a Blister Beetle!

Hello ccc community
Wanted to share a cool little discovery I made recently. On my way back from Mojoda, heading to catch public transport from a street I don't even know the name of, I spotted something interesting flying around.

At first glance, I honestly thought it was just a bee buzzing by. But then it landed on this flower, and my phone was already in my hand, so you know what happened next! 😂

Here are some of the photos I managed to snap of this fascinating insect:

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You can also check out the full observation on iNaturalist here:
See the full observation on iNaturalist

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Getting to Know the Blister Beetle

After looking it up, I found out this little guy is a "Lunated Blister Beetle," part of the Meloidae family. These beetles are pretty unique because they have a special defense: they can release a chemical called cantharidin, which can cause blisters. That's why they often have bright, noticeable colors – it's their way of telling predators (and us!) to keep a respectful distance. There are about 7,500 species of them worldwide!

A Quick Note of Caution for Us Humans

While their colors are mainly for animals, it's good for us to be careful too. That cantharidin can irritate human skin, causing redness or even blisters if you get it on you. So, if you ever find yourself getting close to one for a picture (like I did!), it's a good idea to:

• Wash your hands really well afterwards.
• Avoid touching your face or eyes until your hands are clean.
• If you do get any symptoms like itching or blistering, best to get it checked out by a doctor.

It's all about appreciating nature safely!

Want to learn more? Check out the Blister Beetle Wiki page!

(screenshot from wiki)

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Observation Details for the Curious

For those interested in the specifics of my iNaturalist observation, here's a quick summary:

Category	Detail
Species	Lunated Blister Beetle
Scientific Name	Coleoptera: Meloidae (Family-level ID)
Observer	dreeyor
iNaturalist ID	536579679
Observation Date	2025-07-14
Location	Nigeria
License	CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial)
Device Used	TECNO MOBILE LIMITED

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