Cantharidin and demethylcantharidin (palasonin) content of blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) from southern Africa.

Abstract

In two species of meloid beetles, Hycleus oculatus and Hycleus tinctus, from southern Africa, cantharidin and demethylcantharidin (palasonin) were assayed quantitatively. For cantharidin the mean value per specimen was about 1 mg for H. oculatus and 0.2 mg for H. tinctus, the mean palasonin concentration was 20 (H. oculatus) and 12 times (H. tinctus) lower, respectively. However, considerable individual variation in the cantharidin concentration was observed and values of more than 6 mg of this compound per beetle were measured pointing to the high risk of severe and even fatal poisoning when ingesting these insects.

• Authors: Dietrich Mebs, Werner Pogoda, Michael Schneider, Gerold Kauert
• Journal: Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology (Toxicon) Vol. 53 Issue 4 Pg. 466-8 (Mar 15 2009) ISSN: 1879-3150 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19708124 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bridged-Ring Compounds
• Epoxy Compounds
• palasonin
• Cantharidin

Topics

• Africa
• Animals
• Bridged-Ring Compounds (chemistry)
• Cantharidin (chemistry)
• Coleoptera (chemistry)
• Epoxy Compounds (chemistry)
• Molecular Structure