Category Archives: Insects of Spain

Bees and Wasps, Nature Notes, Spain Wildlife News and Updates

Repopulating Spain with Iberian Bees: The Smart Green Initiative

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The Spanish bee, or Apis mellifera iberica, is a subspecies of western honey bee native to the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. It is a dark-colored bee with low swarming tendency and high vigor, and it adapts well to the region’s climatic and floral conditions.

Despite its somewhat nervous and aggressive behavior, which allows it to defend itself better from predators and parasites, this subspecies is endangered due to several threats. These include the introduction of other foreign breeds, habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. The Spanish bee, though, still plays a crucial role as one of the most important pollinators in the region.

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Bees and Wasps, Insects of Spain, Invasive species in Spain

Hornets in Spain

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Hornets are often considered pests, as they aggressively guard their nesting sites when threatened and their stings can be more dangerous than those of bees. There are now four types of hornet in Spain with three being introduced, considered invasive and a threat to endemic wildlife. (A fifth is often mentioned in the press but the Asian giant hornet (Vespa Mandarina) is NOT present in Spain).

  • Hornets (insects in the genus Vespa) are the largest in the wasp family and some species can reach up to 6 cm in length. There are around 22 species of Vespa in the world and most only occur in the tropics of Asia.
  • Like other social wasps, hornets build communal nests by chewing wood to make a papery pulp. Each nest has one queen, which lays eggs and is attended by workers that, while genetically female, cannot lay fertile eggs. Male hornets are docile and do not have stings.
  • Most species make exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some build their nests underground or in other cavities.
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Beetles, Insects of Spain

Spanish fly beetle – Lytta vesicatoria – Cantárida medicinal

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The Spanish fly beetle, also known as the blister beetle or Lytta vesicatoria, is a species of beetle that has gained notoriety due to its historical use as an aphrodisiac. However, it’s important to note that using Spanish fly as an aphrodisiac is dangerous and illegal in many countries. In Spanish it is called Cantárida medicinal

Here are some key points about the Spanish fly beetle:
  • Appearance: The Spanish fly beetle is a medium-sized beetle, typically measuring around 1 to 2 centimeters in length. It has a metallic green or blue color and a long, narrow body shape.
  • Habitat: These beetles are found in various regions of southern Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, and parts of northern Africa. They are most commonly found in warm and dry habitats such as meadows, fields, and gardens.
  • Chemical Defense: The Spanish fly beetle produces a defensive chemical called cantharidin. This substance is highly toxic and is used by the beetle to deter predators. Cantharidin is a blistering agent that can cause skin irritation, blisters, and in large doses, even internal damage if ingested.
  • Historical Use: Throughout history, people have believed that cantharidin, extracted from Spanish fly beetles, can increase sexual desire and performance. However, using Spanish fly or any product containing cantharidin is extremely dangerous. It can cause severe health issues such as kidney damage, gastrointestinal problems, and even death.
  • Medical Uses: Despite the dangers, cantharidin has been used in certain medical procedures. It has been employed as a topical treatment for wart removal and as a component of some traditional medicines in limited and controlled quantities.
Spanish fly beetle - Lytta vesicatoria - Cantárida medicinal
The Spanish fly beetle, also known as the blister beetle or Lytta vesicatoria, is a species of beetle that has gained notoriety due to its historical use as an aphrodisiac.
Spanish fly as a sexual enhancement substance

It is crucial to emphasize that using Spanish fly or any products containing cantharidin for sexual enhancement is illegal and highly risky. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for safe and reliable methods to address sexual concerns or seek other legitimate solutions for improving intimacy and overall well-being.

The term “Spanish fly” typically refers to a purported aphrodisiac substance rather than the actual beetle. Historically, Spanish fly has been associated with a substance derived from the Spanish fly beetle (Lytta vesicatoria) and other related beetles in the Meloidae family. However, it’s important to note that using Spanish fly as an aphrodisiac is dangerous, illegal in many countries, and not supported by scientific evidence.

The substance traditionally associated with Spanish fly is cantharidin, which is a toxic compound produced by these beetles as a defense mechanism. Cantharidin is a blistering agent that causes skin irritation and blister formation. When ingested, it can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and other organs. It is classified as a poison and can be life-threatening in high doses.

Despite its toxic nature, cantharidin has been falsely believed to have aphrodisiac properties. It is said to irritate the urogenital tract, potentially leading to increased blood flow and heightened sexual arousal. However, scientific research does not support these claims, and the risks associated with cantharidin outweigh any potential benefits.

Due to the health hazards and legal implications, the use of Spanish fly or any products containing cantharidin for sexual enhancement is strongly discouraged. It is important to prioritize safe and evidence-based approaches to sexual health and consult with healthcare professionals for guidance on addressing sexual concerns or seeking appropriate treatments.

Further reading

Wikipedia has quite an informative page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_fly
Also about Cantharidin here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantharidin

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Visit Cádiz

Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides. https://visitingcadiz.com/

Dragonflies and Damselflies, Insects of Spain, Wildlife

Golden-ringed dragonfly – Cordulegaster boltonii – La libélula tigre

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  • Family: Cordulegastridae
  • Scientific: Cordulegaster boltonii
  • English: Golden-ringed dragonfly
  • Spanish: La libélula tigre
Description

The golden-ringed dragonfly – Cordulegaster boltonii – La libélula tigre is a large and distinctive dragonfly that belongs to the Cordulegastridae family. They are easily recognized by their black and yellow stripes. Males have yellow parts on the face and jaw, green eyes, a black thorax with wide yellow stripes on the back and sides, a black abdomen with yellow markings, and distinctive features on its wings.

Females have similar patterns and colors as the male but is larger, has a thicker abdomen, and has a vulvar spine that looks like a long and striking thorn. (The vulvar spine is a long and striking thorn-like structure that protrudes from the female dragonfly’s genitalia. It is used to remove any sperm that may be present in the female’s reproductive tract before laying her eggs)

Often seen flying leisurely over mountain streams or rivers and occasionally showing up at a pond or flying over heath land. Their bright yellow and black stripes make them easy to identify, even from a fair distance away. They feed mainly on insects ranging from small prey such as midges to flies, butterflies, and even bumblebees. This insect is incredibly aerobatic and sometimes flies very high up into the sky.

  • Total length: 74 to 85 mm
  • Hind Wing: 40 to 51 mm
  • Flight period in Iberia: May to September
  • Habitat: Streams, rivers, water tanks and drinking troughs. (Prefers colder water)
  • Distribution: Iberian peninsular
Golden-ringed dragonfly - Cordulegaster boltonii - La libélula tigre
Habits and habitat of Golden-ringed dragonfly – Cordulegaster boltonii – La libélula tigre

The female lays eggs in shallow water, and the hairy larvae live at the bottom of the water, well camouflaged amongst the silt. They emerge after about 2–5 years, usually under the cover of darkness.

In general, golden-ringed dragonflies reproduce in middle and upper river and stream courses with perennial water bodies that are cold and supplied with oxygen. They can also be found in springs, water tanks, fountains, and drinking troughs in middle and upper mountains. They are a good indicator of water quality.

Usually seen flying low along the rivers and streams where the vegetation is dense and there are willows. When at rest, they hang vertically or diagonally and fully open their wings. They rest on trees, bushes, and tall grasses on sunny mornings and in shady areas when it is hot. They fly far away from the place where they mate, so they can be seen well away from water bodies.

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Iberia Nature Forum

Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!

Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.