Tag: Animal toxins

Known for centuries as 'Spanish fly', the toxin cantharidin is produced by blister beetles as a potent defense mechanism. But **how do blister beetles make cantharidin**, and what is the biological process behind this powerful chemical that can cause severe blistering and illness in vertebrates?

While often associated with psychoactive plants, certain animals can also induce vivid and terrifying hallucinations through their potent toxins or infectious diseases. Understanding **what animal causes hallucinations** requires looking beyond the typical.