Which family uses reflex bleeding and contains cantharidin?

Which family uses reflex bleeding and contains cantharidin?

• A. Meloidae
• B. Carabidae
• C. Scarabaeidae
• D. Cerambycidae

Answer: (A)

Reflex bleeding is a defense where an insect rapidly exudes hemolymph when threatened, and in blister beetles that fluid contains cantharidin, a potent blistering chemical. This combination—defensive reflex bleeding paired with cantharidin presence in the hemolymph—is characteristic of the Meloidae family. The other beetle families listed rely on different chemical defenses or physical traits and do not typically produce cantharidin in their reflex-bleeding fluid. So, the family described is Meloidae.

Reflex bleeding is a defense where an insect rapidly exudes hemolymph when threatened, and in blister beetles that fluid contains cantharidin, a potent blistering chemical. This combination—defensive reflex bleeding paired with cantharidin presence in the hemolymph—is characteristic of the Meloidae family. The other beetle families listed rely on different chemical defenses or physical traits and do not typically produce cantharidin in their reflex-bleeding fluid. So, the family described is Meloidae.