Cantharidin and demethylcantharidin (palasonin) content of blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) from southern Africa.
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.
Mebs
Dietrich
D
Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany. mebs@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Pogoda
Werner
W
Schneider
Michael
M
Kauert
Gerold
G
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002193:Cantharidin / Q000737:chemistry*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure
D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; C470227:palasonin; D002193:Cantharidin