Most insects are harmless to humans, even if their appearance makes you shudder. But it is better to know some of them by sight: if you get to know them closely, you will have to seek medical help.
Lonomia caterpillar
The Lonomia caterpillar, also known as the “lazy clown”, is a real star among poisonous insects. For its dangerous properties, Lonomia obliqua is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most poisonous caterpillar in the world. These slow-moving creatures live in the tropical forests of South America: their flexible body is covered with thorn-like bristles that only seem soft, but at the same time easily pierce human skin.
This is where passive aggression ends and health problems begin – from headaches and fever to cerebral hemorrhage and gangrene. The ‘clown’s’ poison is extremely toxic: more than 500 deaths are known as a result of encounters with lonomia. The situation is aggravated by the caterpillar’s camouflage coloring: it is easy to miss. Fortunately, scientists have found an antidote, but it must be administered as soon as possible, while the changes are still reversible. Alas, not all travelers know what kind of beast they encountered on their way.
Tsetse fly
One of the deadliest insects in the world. The tsetse feeds on blood, and therefore constantly attacks animals ranging from small rodents to elephants and buffalo, but it does not disdain people either. The fly has already caused about half a million human deaths. Only zebras can feel safe: the black and white coloring confuses the insect.
The tsetse itself does not produce toxic substances, but it is a carrier of protozoan parasites – trypanosomes, which cause fatal sleeping sickness in the victim. Doctors have learned to cope with the consequences, but it is important to go to the clinic in time if you suspect a bite. Otherwise, the disease can develop in a latent form for several years, and when symptoms appear, it may be too late: the brain suffers first
Kissing bug
After reading about this inconspicuous insect, you risk acquiring a new phobia: the fact is that the bug got its “romantic” fame for a reason. As a rule, these individuals bite people in their sleep — and certainly on the lip. There is also a version that in addition to blood, triatomine bugs are attracted to food particles that remain in the mouth.
During a bite, Trypanosoma cruzi parasites enter the human body – the causative agents of Chagas disease, which annually takes more than ten thousand lives. In the later stages, it can lead to sudden death due to arrhythmia or heart failure. Often, heart patients do not even suspect that health problems are the result of the deadly “kiss” of the bug.
Giant Japanese Hornet
Despite the promising name, the body length of an adult insect is only 4.5 centimeters. And yet, this is the largest species of hornet in the world. There is something to worry about: about 40 deaths from bites of “giants” are registered each year. And they live not only in Asia, but also in certain regions of the Russian Far East.
“Killer hornets”, as they are often called in the media, produce venom that contains a neurotoxin. The dose from a single bite is not enough to cause death, but it is worth remembering that hornets live in colonies of up to 700 individuals. There is also a known case in Japan, when a hornet did not bite, but sprayed venom into a person’s eyes, which led to deterioration of vision.
Africanized bee
Who would have thought that hardworking bees would acquire an image of killers? One of the most aggressive insects in the world was created by crossing Western bee species with an African bee as part of a scientific experiment. It was assumed that this would produce heat-resistant honey bees for breeding in Brazil. For some unknown reason, special shutters on the hives were open and the participants in the experiment escaped. Since then, cases of bee attacks on animals and people have become more frequent.
You probably remember at least one cartoon or comedy in which a persistent swarm flies after the offender. This is exactly how Africanized bees behave. You will have to run fast and for a long time: the warlike insects pursue the victim from five hundred meters to one and a half kilometers from the meeting place. Their poison is no more toxic than the poison of ordinary bees, the only difference is that they attack in a group, and not every organism can cope with a shock dose.
Malaria mosquito
According to the World Health Organization, 241 million people fell ill with malaria in the world in a year, and for 627 thousand this diagnosis turned out to be fatal. The infection is carried by malaria mosquitoes, which can be found in almost every corner of the planet. Russia is no exception.
The consequences of a bite can be very diverse: fever, unbearable headache, vomiting, joint pain, convulsions, and even rupture of the spleen and cerebral ischemia. Malaria is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. However, that’s not all: mosquitoes also carry other dangerous diseases, such as West Nile fever.