Under the Microscope: The Spotted Blister Beetle

Meet the spotted blister beetle (Cerocits capensis) - the tiny, colourful creature you definitely shouldn’t touch!

Its bright yellow polka dots are nature’s bold “DO NOT EAT” warning, thanks to cantharidin, a potent toxin that can blister skin and send predators packing.

But the larvae are even more astonishing: they mimic the pheromone of a female bee, lure male bees in, hitch a ride back to the nest, and feast on pollen, honey, and eggs from unsuspecting female bees.

Meanwhile, the adults are peaceful daytime vegetarians, simply moving from flower to flower across Southern Africa - nature’s little chaos wrapped in yellow spots.