Spanish-fly

The Spanish fly (Lytta versicatoria) is a 12-21mm long metallic green beetle. Its wings are fully developed and the elytra cover the entire, elongated, slender abdomen. The habitat of the Spanish fly is mainly in the African Mediterranean area and southern Europe. They are rarely found in Central Europe. They live in bushes and in places where it is warm. They feed on leaves, mainly ash trees.

The Spanish fly contains the toxic substance Cantharidin , which was formerly used for medicinal purposes, as a highly effective poison or as an aphrodisiac. The beetle is so well known today because of this stimulant, because the powder that is obtained when it is ground up is used as a sexual enhancer. It is said that the Spanish fly leads to an increase in potency through extreme irritation of the urinary tract. The intake should lead to a strong erection, up to a painful permanent erection. However, this does not increase sexual desire. However, taking it is not completely harmless, if you take an overdose it can lead to an attack on the central nervous system. In very extreme cases, it can cause death within 10-12 hours from kidney failure, liver poisoning and circulatory collapse. Because of this, the Spanish fly was often used as a killing poison in executions or assassinations. However, the powder available in Germany is harmless.