How Spanish is Spanish fly?

toughynutter

The spanish fly, or Lytta vesicatoria occurs not only in Spain but throughout southern Europe and eastward all the way to Siberia. Other species of meloids, including the Old-Fashioned Potato Beetle, or Epicauta vittara, also called the striped blister beetle, occur in North America as well as Europe. ...Spanish fly is a strange nickname for the Lytta vesicatoria because it is not a fly, but a beetle" http://www.insectia.com/beta/e/iv_c202035.html Mar 11 07, 1:57 PM

Flem-ish

Association with Spain as a "hot" country? Mar 11 07, 2:42 PM

What-A-Mess

"Spanish fly, or cantharides as it is sometimes called, is often given to farm animals to incite them to mating.[3] The cantharides excreted in the urine irritate the urethral passages, causing inflammation in the genitals and subsequent priapism. For this reason, Spanish fly has been given to humans for purposes of seduction. It is dangerous since the amount required is minuscule and the difference between the effective dose and the harmful dose is quite narrow. Cantharides cause painful urination, fever, and sometimes bloody discharge. They can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitals." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_fly_(insect) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_fly_(insect) Mar 11 07, 3:30 PM