Finds from the Dakacha Woodlands

About the Dakatcha Woodland

Last month, I took...........

The Blister Beetle

A blister beetle (think a Hycleus species?). They have the coolest super power - they secrete cantharidin, a poisonous chemical that causes blistering if the skin (much to the dismay of other species!). Canthardin is produced by males beetles and given as a gift to females during mating?!! She then covers her eggs with it as a defence against predators! Amazing!

It has also been used by humans for various reasons - including wart and tattoo removal! (Not FDA approved). And obviously as an aphrodisiac in ancient times (what didn’t we humans use ?! - almost anything can start with ‘insert any animal name or feature’ has been used as an aphrodisiac in ancient times…