none The defensive role played by cantharidin in meloid and oedemerid beetles has been well documented. However, several groups of insects are known to orient positively toward the chemical or to the beetles which produce it: Miridae (Hempitera); Pyrochroidae, Anthicidae (Coleoptera); Ceratopogonidae, Anthomyiidae (Diptera); and Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Literature citations are summarized for each of these taxa using current nomenclature and indicating the nature of the association. Biochemistry; Nutrition; Diet; Behaviour; Orientation; Associations; Parasites diseases and disorders; Parasites; Insect parasites; Hosts; Insect hosts; Host parasite relationships; Ecology Meloidae; Oedemeridae; Toxins and venoms, attraction of insect predators parasites & associates; Associations; Coleoptera; Diptera; Hemiptera & Hymenoptera; Insects attracted to defensive chemical, cantharidin; Hymenopteran parasites; Braconidae, parasite attraction to cantharidin; Host recognition; Braconidae (Hymenoptera) parasites, attraction to cantharidin; Predators; Ceratopogonidae; Anthomyiidae (Diptera) & Coleoptera; Predator attraction to defensive chemical, review Ceratopogonidae; Anthomyiidae; Prey; Meloidae & Oedemeridae (Coleoptera); Attraction to coleopteran defensive chemical; Taxis; Attraction to coleopteran prey defensive chemical, review Braconidae; Taxis; Attraction to coleopteran host defensive chemical; Coleopteran hosts; Meloidae & Oedemeridae, attraction to host defensive chemical, review; Host recognition; Meloidae & Oedemeridae (Coleoptera), cantharidin relationship Miridae; Taxis; Associations; Meloidae & Oedemeridae (Coleoptera); Attraction to coleopteran defensive chemical, review