CANTHARIS, in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of insects coleoptera. The feelers of this genus are setaceous; the breast is marginated, and shorter than the head; the elytra, or wing-cases, are flexible; and the sides of the belly are plated and papillous. Linnaeus enumerates 27 species of the cantharis, most of them to be found in different parts of Europe. The cantharis used in making blistering plasters, is ranked under a different genus, viz. the MELOE.