Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
family Meloidae

family Meloidae

8.5
A group of beetles that make a chemical that causes skin blisters
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˈmɛloʊɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Meloidae
  • The family Meloidae is famous for its ability to produce cantharidin, a substance that can cause blistering.

Examples

  • The family Meloidae includes several species that can cause blistering of human skin upon contact.

  • The family Meloidae includes many species of blister beetles.

  • Certain chemicals produced by the family Meloidae have been investigated for medical use.

  • Researchers observed the family Meloidae in the grasslands during their field study.

  • Several members of the family Meloidae are known for their toxic secretions.

  • Many species in the family Meloidae are studied for their unique chemical properties that lead to skin irritation.

  • In agricultural settings, the family Meloidae is important due to some species' effects on crops and livestock.

Synonyms

Meloidae
vsfamily Meloidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Beetles that give off a poison that can cause blisters on skin

names the specific blistering chemical rather than calling it a toxic substance

Surface Forms

family Meloidae singular
families Meloidae plural

Morphology

family + Meloidae

This is a transparent taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Meloidae' (blister beetles). A B1 learner who knows both constituents can directly derive that 'family Meloidae' refers to the biological family containing those beetles, since this compositional pattern is standard across languages and scientific contexts.

Etymology

Family Meloidae is the name for a group of beetles called 'blister beetles'. Imagine a beetle that can release a strong chemical and make a painful blister on your skin, and that picture helps you remember why Meloidae is linked to 'blistering' today.