Cantharidin and Insects: An Historical Review

Abstract

The defensive role played by cantharidin in meloid and oedemerid beetles has been well documented. However. several groups of insects are known to orient positively toward the chemical or to the beetles which produce it: Miridae (Hemiptera); Pyrochroidae, Anthicidae (Coleoptera): Ceratopogonidae, Anthomyiidae (Diptera); and Braconidae Hymenopteran. Literature citations are summarized for each of these taxa using current nomencla.tun: and indicating the nature of the association.