Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia
True blister beetles (genus <i>Epicauta</i>, family Meloidae) produce cantharidin, which can cause toxicosis in humans and animals. Some recent reports suggest that poisoning by the blister beetle has occurred in the Mediterranean part of Slovenia, which has never been reported before. D...
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doaj-5d7ee93f7597408db05b0f9bf52282262021-01-19T00:00:28ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-01-011122022010.3390/ani11010220Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in SloveniaBreda Jakovac-Strajn0Diana Brozić1Gabrijela Tavčar-Kalcher2Janja Babič3Tomi Trilar4Modest Vengust5Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaVeterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaVeterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaSlovenian Museum of Natural History, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaVeterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaTrue blister beetles (genus <i>Epicauta</i>, family Meloidae) produce cantharidin, which can cause toxicosis in humans and animals. Some recent reports suggest that poisoning by the blister beetle has occurred in the Mediterranean part of Slovenia, which has never been reported before. Drought and modern harvesting techniques are thought to increase the likelihood of blister beetle forage contamination and cantharidin intoxication in animals. A survey of fields associated with blister beetle contamination was conducted and the Meloid species present were identified. Entomological surveillance was conducted for <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i>. Cantharidin concentrations were also measured in both blister beetle species. Cantharidin concentration in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> (<i>n</i> = 17) ranged from 0.038 to 0.354 µg/mg (mean 0.151 µg/mg). Cantharidin concentration in <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> (<i>n</i> = 36) ranged from 0.055 to 0.341 µg/mg (mean 0.142 µg/mg). Both species exhibited variable concentrations of cantharidin that could not be associated with their biology, sex, age, size, and/or reproductive status. <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> have never previously been studied as a possible source of forage contamination, nor have cantharidin concentrations been determined in this species. It is the most likely source of forage contamination due to its abundance in the investigated fields, its swarming activity, and its tendency to reside in the green parts of plants immediately after cutting. Delaying the simultaneous processing and storage of forage after cutting would reduce the likelihood of forage contamination by blister beetles, as they can then retreat to the ground or fly away.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/220cantharidin toxicosisLC-MS/MSblister beetlemeloidaeforage contaminationhorse |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Breda Jakovac-Strajn Diana Brozić Gabrijela Tavčar-Kalcher Janja Babič Tomi Trilar Modest Vengust |
spellingShingle |
Breda Jakovac-Strajn Diana Brozić Gabrijela Tavčar-Kalcher Janja Babič Tomi Trilar Modest Vengust Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia Animals cantharidin toxicosis LC-MS/MS blister beetle meloidae forage contamination horse |
author_facet |
Breda Jakovac-Strajn Diana Brozić Gabrijela Tavčar-Kalcher Janja Babič Tomi Trilar Modest Vengust |
author_sort |
Breda Jakovac-Strajn |
title |
Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia |
title_short |
Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia |
title_full |
Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia |
title_fullStr |
Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia |
title_full_unstemmed |
Entomological Surveillance and Cantharidin Concentrations in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> Blister Beetles in Slovenia |
title_sort |
entomological surveillance and cantharidin concentrations in <i>mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>epicauta rufidorsum</i> blister beetles in slovenia |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Animals |
issn |
2076-2615 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
True blister beetles (genus <i>Epicauta</i>, family Meloidae) produce cantharidin, which can cause toxicosis in humans and animals. Some recent reports suggest that poisoning by the blister beetle has occurred in the Mediterranean part of Slovenia, which has never been reported before. Drought and modern harvesting techniques are thought to increase the likelihood of blister beetle forage contamination and cantharidin intoxication in animals. A survey of fields associated with blister beetle contamination was conducted and the Meloid species present were identified. Entomological surveillance was conducted for <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> and <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i>. Cantharidin concentrations were also measured in both blister beetle species. Cantharidin concentration in <i>Mylabris variabilis</i> (<i>n</i> = 17) ranged from 0.038 to 0.354 µg/mg (mean 0.151 µg/mg). Cantharidin concentration in <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> (<i>n</i> = 36) ranged from 0.055 to 0.341 µg/mg (mean 0.142 µg/mg). Both species exhibited variable concentrations of cantharidin that could not be associated with their biology, sex, age, size, and/or reproductive status. <i>Epicauta rufidorsum</i> have never previously been studied as a possible source of forage contamination, nor have cantharidin concentrations been determined in this species. It is the most likely source of forage contamination due to its abundance in the investigated fields, its swarming activity, and its tendency to reside in the green parts of plants immediately after cutting. Delaying the simultaneous processing and storage of forage after cutting would reduce the likelihood of forage contamination by blister beetles, as they can then retreat to the ground or fly away. |
topic |
cantharidin toxicosis LC-MS/MS blister beetle meloidae forage contamination horse |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/220 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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