Cantharidin, the active ingredient of ``Spanish Fly'', is contained in a number of insects
collectively called blister beetles and is a well known toxin and vesicant. We report on a
case of ingestion of Mylabris dicincta (``Blister beetle'') in Zimbabwe by a 4 year old girl.
The ingested beetles were probably mistaken for the edible Eulepida mashona. She presented
with many of the classic signs and symptoms of cantharidin poisoning including haematuria
and abdominal pains. This was recognised only after consultation with the drug
information centre. She was managed conservatively, recovered and was discharged after 9
days. A overview of the clinical eects of cantharidin toxicity and its treatment is
presented. 7 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.