The
Spanish fly is an emerald-green
beetle (
Cantharis vesicatoria, also known as
Lytta vesicatoria, from
Greek lytta=rage and
Latin vesica=blister). It is 15-22 mm long and 5-8 mm wide, and lives of plants from the
Caprifoliaceae and
Oleaceae families[?].
The beetle contains up to 1%
cantharidin. The powder made from dried and crushed beetle has been used as an
aphrodisiac, under the mistaken impression that the urinary irritation created was sexual arousal. Its medical use dates back to descriptions from
Hippocrates.
A similar powder from Myalabris beetles, called "vuka-vuka" (vuka=wake up), is known in Zimbabwe.