abstract:The blister beetle genus Meloe is a large, widespread group commonly referred to as oil beetles.Oil Beetles (Meloe), BugGuide They are known as "oil beetles" because they release oily droplets of hemolymph from their joints when disturbed; this contains cantharidin, a poisonous chemical causing blistering of the skin and painful swelling.
Erica Meloe, a physical therapist in New York City, counts herself as one of the lucky private sector workers with a vested pension she earned while working for 10 years as a trader and bond specialist for Deutsche Bank.