Citation

Mebs D, Pogoda W, Schneider M, Kauert G. Toxicon 2009; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Zentrum der Rechtsmedizin, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.01.005

PMID

19470350

Abstract

In two species of meloid beetles, Hycleus oculatus and H. tinctus, from southern Africa, cantharidin and demethylcantharidin (palasonin) were assayed quantitatively. For cantharidin the mean value per specimen was about 1mg for H. oculatus and 0.2mg 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 6mg of this compound per beetle were measured pointing to the high risk of severe and even fatal poisoning when ingesting these insects.

Language: en