Spanish Fly

 

The Spanish Fly is not a fly, it’s actually a beetle. Oh, and you might die excruciatingly if you eat it. Found throughout Europe and Central Asia, Spanish flies are small, usually reaching no longer than 20mm. The Spanish fly has been thought of as an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years, but it’s actually an irritant that can cause blistering. Spanish flies are extremely toxic due to a substance they secrete known as cantharidin. When the human skin is exposed to cantharidin it causes blisters. When taken orally, this substance can be lethal. It is also used to attract mates, with females more likely to procreate with males when it is dispersed.