Diversity of the insect world
Insects are among the most highly organized arthropods. These inhabitants of our planet with one of the most advanced nervous systems and highly developed sense organs have mastered absolutely all habitats. They have even colonized the Arctic, and the black bell mosquito is endemic to the Antarctic.
Bell mosquito
Despite all this incredible diversity, one of the first associations any person has with insects is disgusting. Behind disgust and hostility, according to psychologists, there is always the idea of danger and threat.
The most disgusting insects from the immediate environment of people are considered to be the gray blowfly, the red cockroach and the louse. Although there is clearly a lot of subjectiveness in this assessment.
Antlion
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The lifespan of these tiny creatures is about 30 years. Moreover, they are able to lift 100 times their body weight and survive after spending 24 hours underwater. Yes, yes, all this applies to ordinary ants. The antlion is one of many thousands of subspecies of these insects. Upon closer inspection, the antlion larva is capable of making an impression, which is worth the huge claws alone!
Ixodid tick
For residents of Russia, the ixodid tick is a real danger from which absolutely no one is safe.
An encounter with this most terrible insect of our latitudes can occur not only in the forest, but also near the house while walking with the dog. The ixodid tick is a carrier of many diseases.
Ixodid tick
The most dangerous is the focal form of tick-borne encephalitis, when the causative agent of the disease penetrates the brain and spinal cord. Death in this case occurs in 30 out of 100 cases.
9) Fleas
If you have cats or dogs at home, you know very well what fleas are, and you also know that they can bite not only pets, but also their owners. Fleas spread bubonic plague
, which can be transferred from rats to humans.
This disease is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis
. Fleas feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals and reproduce at tremendous speed. Flea bites can cause allergic reactions.
Common flycatcher
Appearances, as we know, are deceiving. A disgusting and ugly-looking insect with a huge number of thin, quivering legs, the common flycatcher is not just a harmless creature, but even useful.
flycatcher
The fact is that its diet includes flies, cockroaches, spiders and some other small pests. However, the fact of ridding a human home of many pests does not make the centipede a welcome guest in the house. If a flytrap is discovered, most often in the bathroom, since the insect loves moisture, its disgusting appearance leaves it no chance of mercy.
Shelters
Some entomophagous insects willingly settle in artificial shelters that gardeners make for them. For ground beetles, bricks, flat stones or pieces of plywood are laid out around the area, which are installed so that one end is raised above the ground by 1-1.5 cm. In these dugouts, the ground beetles will wait out the daytime, and at night they will crawl out on patrol to protect the garden frontiers.
To attract lacewings and some other entomophages, flower pots with drainage holes (bottom up) are hung on tree branches and filled with hay or simply dried grass. The hay is changed every spring.
In some areas of the garden it is recommended not to mow the grass. In such overgrown corners, where a layer of grass, leaves, etc. is created, entomophages settle for the winter.
Giant stick insect
The giant stick insect holds the title of the largest insect and the most terrible beetle on the planet. The length of its body can reach 36 cm, but despite its truly gigantic size, the stick insect is a harmless and even peaceful creature. In addition, he likes to disguise himself as an ordinary branch, dry bark or wood chips, so that someone does not inadvertently disturb his peace. In photographs, these unusual and strange insects are often simply impossible to see against the background of tree bark or foliage.
Giant stick insect
Stick insects have a sweet tooth. They happily eat the fragrant leaves of flowers and trees, preferring roses and oak leaves, and adore raspberries. They live a long time and, apparently, quite happily - up to one and a half years. True, only females, since males die immediately after mating.
Suriname lantern
Butterflies often inspire delight with their beauty. Compared to other representatives of its species, the Suriname lanternfly looks like an ugly duckling. Even terrible. This creature is popularly called the crocodile butterfly because of its external resemblance to alligators. Its head sometimes reaches 24 mm, which is why the light bearer, as it is otherwise called, can be confused with a lizard or a small snake. Russians are lucky: in our area it is impossible to spot a flying crocodile, but you can stumble upon a lanternfish while traveling around Latin America. By the way, you shouldn’t be afraid of its menacing appearance - the harmless insect feeds exclusively on plant sap.
Human gadfly
The human gadfly is a dangerous parasite, the larvae of which can easily penetrate human skin. A fertilized female gadfly is capable of laying eggs in flight on the body of insects that feed on blood (mosquitoes, ticks). They, in turn, bite a person, leave them on his skin, and the larva, having emerged from the egg, safely settles under the skin for further maturation, feeding on the tissues and fluids of the human body,
After about 12 weeks, a fully mature and formed larva appears on the surface of the skin and leaves the person. After pupation, an adult insect emerges from it in two to three weeks.
Gadfly
In the medical histories of many patients, there are sometimes quite strange, if not terrible, photographs that capture the moment of the appearance of a mature insect larva on the surface of the body.
Fortunately, the habitat of this remarkable creature is limited to Central and South America.
Riders
Adults feed on plant foods. The larva requires protein food for development. The female ichneumon injects eggs into the victim's body and injects the virus. It subjects the host body to the development of parasitic larvae that feed on its internal organs. Caterpillars, beetles, large insects, even wasps serve as a home for future offspring. Riders pose no danger to humans.
kissing bug
The habitat of the kissing, or triatomine, bug is the American continent. Some species are found in Asia, Africa and Australia, but there they usually live far from people.
The kissing bug, which received this romantic name because it prefers to bite people in the soft tissue around the lips and eyes, has long had a reputation as one of the most dangerous insects on the planet. They are carriers of Chagas disease (trypanosomasis): an infectious bug at the time of its bite transmits the infection to a new victim. The disease was first described in 1909 by the Brazilian physician C. Y. Chagas.
kissing bug
The main symptoms of the disease: damage to the nervous system, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, problems with the cardiovascular system. This parasitic disease is completely curable only at the initial stage.
It is fundamentally important that when this vile insect is discovered, they always try to catch it alive in order to determine in the laboratory whether it is a carrier of the infection. It is not so easy. The bug flies well and, sensing danger, can attack a person or hide.
Dangerous bugs
Poisonous beetles that inject poison under the skin after biting are not found in nature. Despite this, there are bugs that suck human blood, and many beetles whose hemolymph contains the dangerous substance cantharidin.
Blister beetles
They leave blisters and abscesses on the body, which is where the name comes from. The poison cantharidin secreted by the beetles is dangerous even without biting the skin. They have an elongated body. which can be painted in black, red, brown stripes. About 150 varieties of this type of beetle live in Russia. They are most common in the forests of Krasnodar.
The body of the blister beetle is saturated with the poison cantharidin, which can cause blisters upon contact with skin.
If cantharidin enters the bloodstream, it can cause serious problems in the functioning of the body. A bitten person may develop liver, kidney, and bladder diseases. In large quantities, the toxic substance poses a mortal danger to humans. It is especially dangerous for children.
If a blister beetle is swallowed, immediate medical attention is required.
Bedbugs
There are about 40 thousand species of bedbugs, distributed throughout the earth. Contrary to the prevailing false belief, bed bugs are far from the only representatives of these unpleasant predatory insects. Examples:
- soldier bug;
- water strider bug;
- bread, beet, cabbage, berry bugs;
- harmful turtle;
- Hottentot bug.
The types of bedbugs are very diverse.
Regardless of the type, bedbugs have excellent sense of touch and a sharp proboscis with which they pierce the skin. These are known bloodsuckers, despite the fact that most species prefer to feed on plant sap. For the purpose of self-defense, they secrete a caustic secretion from their glands, which repels birds and other enemies. They have colors in red, black, brown tones.
How to quickly recognize an insect
Knowing the characteristic signs of dangerous insects, you can try to avoid an attack.
Many of them, such as wasps, bedbugs, horseflies, and hornets, have a recognizable appearance. The rest can be studied from photos and descriptions. Insects that bite humans leave marks on the body:
- redness;
- burning;
- itching;
- tumor;
- rash.
Signs of insect bites
If an allergic reaction is present, the signs may be more obvious, including fainting and death.
Adviсe
The insect sting must be immediately pulled out of the body, otherwise the poison will continue to flow out and spread even more. To prevent it from breaking, you need to try to squeeze it out with clean hands without squeezing. The bitten area is treated with alcohol or soapy water, after which ice is applied to it to relieve pain and prevent swelling.
If an allergic reaction to an insect bite occurs, you should immediately call for medical help. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and severe swelling. If measures are not taken in time, a person may die from suffocation.
Immediately after the bite, the sting must be removed and the wound disinfected. There are many types of dangerous insects in Russia, so you need to be prepared to encounter them. While relaxing in the lap of nature, a person can be unexpectedly attacked at any moment. Many insects are dangerous not so much because of their bites, but because of the infections they carry.
What dangerous insects are found in your area? What harm can they cause and how to protect yourself from them? Share your experience in the comments.
Japanese giant hornet
The name of the insect speaks for itself. The Japanese huge hornet reaches a length of 4 cm with a wingspan of 6 cm. It is no coincidence that the Japanese themselves call this insect the sparrow-bee.
In case of danger, hornets can attack a person, for example, if he accidentally ends up near their nest. A hornet attack is very dangerous: its sting, about 6.25 mm long, releases a highly toxic nerve venom that destroys the victim’s tissues. Bites are very painful, cause anaphylactic shock and require immediate hospitalization. Multiple bites are especially dangerous.
Japanese giant hornet
Statistics show that hornets of this species kill on average about 40 people a year in Japan - more than any other wild animal.
The most terrible among spiders
This category includes Salpuga, a giant camel spider. The inhabitant of the countries of the East, whose length is 15 cm, makes chirping sounds, and the speed of movement of the fastest spider in the world reaches 16 km per hour. The desert dweller with strong jaws can bite, but its venom is not fatal and not particularly painful.
Phrynes, which are called whip scorpions, are among the most terrible spiders in the world. Threatening-looking tropical insects come in a variety of sizes, but are not dangerous to humans.
Rhinoceros cockroach
The largest representative of the cockroach community, nicknamed the rhinoceros, lives in Australia. Its body length reaches 8 cm, and its weight is 35 g (about how much a sparrow weighs). This not at all scary giant cockroach lives in fallen leaves and prefers eucalyptus leaves for food. The rhinoceros cockroach is capable of digging holes up to 1 m deep. He spends all his time doing this activity, working mainly in the dark. Recycling dead leaves is the insect's contribution to maintaining balance in the ecosystem.
Rhinoceros cockroach
The rhinoceros cockroach is a long-liver among its relatives; in nature, individuals are found that are 10 years old.
The friendly nature and attractiveness have caused the insect to become very popular as an exotic pet in recent years.
Scolopendra
This nasty insect includes a large number of species, and all of them do not look very nice. They live in nature for about two to three years. In some tropical countries there are species of centipedes about 25 cm .
All centipedes are predators. Particularly large species can even eat a frog. Some have adapted to living next to us and now such “beauty” can be found in our apartments. For humans, the bite is unpleasant, can cause fever, but does not pose a mortal danger.
Karakurt
Karakurt (literally “black insect”) is a type of poisonous predatory spider, one of the most terrible insects in the world.
Attacks first only in case of danger. The bite acts instantly: acute burning pain quickly spreads throughout the body, shortness of breath, vomiting, a feeling of heaviness in the chest area and a number of other symptoms appear. Without timely medical care, deaths cannot be ruled out.
Karakurt
It is interesting that not all animals are sensitive to karakurt poison. Dogs, hedgehogs, bats, amphibians, and reptiles practically do not react to bites. But camels and horses, as a rule, die.
Antikarakurt serum gives good results in eliminating the consequences of a bite in both humans and animals. Intravenous administration of novocaine, calcium chloride and magnesium hydrogen sulfate also helps.
Black Swarm (2007)
A provincial American town is attacked by mutant wasps that instantly kill people. The survivors turn into bloodthirsty zombies, and local sheriff Devin Hall begins his own investigation. An entomologist is sent to help the detective, but the partner is not interested in a quality check. The military is involved in the case, so the scientist received orders to slow down the investigation by any means.
Selection on the topic: 40 best horror films about zombies
Trailer
Original title : Black Swarm Actors : Sebastien Roberts, Sarah Allen, Jane Heitmeyer... Country : Canada Rating : Kinopoisk – 4.8, IMDb – 3.9 Age restrictions : 16+
Tsetse fly
The tsetse fly is the most dangerous type of killer insect, a carrier of the deadly disease “sleeping sickness,” the causative agents of which are microscopic parasites that live in the bodies of cattle. The disease leads to damage to the immune and nervous systems and, in the absence of timely assistance, leads to death.
Tsetse fly
The insect's mouthparts have formations similar to microscopic teeth, which help the fly to chew through the blood vessels of its prey. The parasite's saliva contains a special enzyme that prevents blood clotting. An insect can drink an amount of blood equal to its own weight.
The tsetse fly's habitat includes countries south of the Sahara Desert.
Interestingly, tsetse do not attack zebras. The white and black color of the animal prevents the fly from perceiving the zebra as a living creature and a potential victim.
Stung (2015)
The top horror films about beetles continues with a sparkling European comedy that lovers of black humor will appreciate. Julia organizes holidays together with her ward Paul. To hold a banquet, it is necessary to prepare an ancient estate, and the business woman carefully thinks through the smallest details. Julia has taken into account everything except the uninvited guests - giant wasps, but the bloodthirsty stinging monsters will appear in the midst of the holiday.
Selection on topic: 25 best comedy horror films
Trailer
Original title : Stung Actors : Matthew O'Leary, Jessica Cook, Clifton Collins Jr... Country : Germany Rating : Kinopoisk – 4.4, IMDb – 5.1 Age restrictions : 18+
Malaysian killer bug
One of the most unusual phenomena in the world of insects is the Malaysian killer bug, which feeds on the insides of insects, primarily ants.
The process of obtaining and eating food looks quite original. The killer bug first pierces the abdomen of the caught animal with its proboscis, then injects poison inside, waits until the victim’s insides turn into a mushy substance and happily feasts on it all.
Malaysian killer bug
The remaining exoskeleton of the victim is also used. Using a special adhesive substance, the killer bug attaches it to its own back as a camouflage device, eventually placing up to 20 exoskeletons on itself at the same time. The life of these creepy insects is a ready-made plot for some horror film.
3) African Siafu ants
One colony of these ants, which consists of 20 million individuals, can devastate an entire African village, destroying everything in its path. When there is not enough food, the siafu colony begins to eat everything they can find in order to somehow survive. The ants can kill animals and humans and cause thousands of dollars in damage each year as they destroy Africa's valuable food supply.
Medvedka
A strange insect that looks like a cross between a beetle and a cricket. The body length of the mole cricket is 5-8 cm. The color is dark brown. The abdomen is 3 times larger than the cephalothorax. At the end of the abdomen there are paired thread-like appendages.
The chest is protected by a hard shell. The mole cricket can hide its head under it. The insect is armed with two powerful front paws, with which it digs passages in the ground. The mole cricket spends its entire life underground. The mole cricket is safe for humans, but you don’t want to touch it with your hands again.
Africanized honey bee
Next on the list of the most dangerous insects is this aggressive bee, which lives in South and Central America. A swarm of such bees attacks anyone who dares to approach it, and after that they will pursue it for quite a long time. The bees directly cling to their prey and sting it until they are driven away to a distance of half a mile. Thousands of local residents have already suffered from such bee stings.
Africanized honey bees are very difficult to distinguish from regular European bees. These insects owe their existence to science - in the 50s they were created by V.E. Kerr, whose main goal was to create a type of bee that could live in the jungle. And he got such insects, and they also proved that they can exist in desert conditions.
Devil's flower mantis
The largest and most distinctive species of mantis lives in the tropical regions of the east and southeast of the African continent. Belonging to the order Cockroach and being a predator, this insect looks like an opening orchid flower. This property of mimicry allows the praying mantis to hide in tropical greenery from other predators and successfully hunt various flying insects.
The size of an adult female reaches 12-14 cm, males are slightly smaller - about 10 cm. Insects have well-developed wings, with a span of about 15 cm. The “Devil's Flower” has a thin, elongated body with highly developed forelimbs. With these paws, equipped with sharp spines, the praying mantis firmly holds its prey - wasps, bees, flies, butterflies and even bumblebees.
Interesting things about caterpillars
In some countries, caterpillars are considered a gastronomic delicacy; gourmets eat caterpillars of about 80 species of butterflies.
They are eaten raw and fried, dried on hot coals, boiled, salted, cooked with them, an omelet is prepared with them, and the caterpillars are used as a base for various sauces.
The color of the caterpillar imitates the colors of the surrounding nature of its habitat - in this way the caterpillars camouflage themselves from their enemies.
The smallest caterpillars on the planet are moth caterpillars of various species. For example, in a clothes moth, the length of a newly hatched larva is 1 mm.
And the longest caterpillar is the Indian peacock butterfly. These are blue-green caterpillars, it seems that their bodies are covered with white dust, they reach 12 cm.
Like any other living creature, the caterpillar takes its place in the planet’s ecosystem and plays an important role in it.
Bullet Ant
The insect lives on the trees of tropical forests. A bullet ant falls on its victim from above - before attacking, it emits a terrible, frightening scream. It is nicknamed the bullet because its bite causes the same pain as when wounded by a firearm. Also, a bite caused by a bullet ant causes paralysis, which can last up to two days.
A rather interesting fact is that some local peoples living in areas where bullet ants are found use them for the ceremony of turning boys into men - the boys put mittens on their hands made of leaves, between which these insects are located. When putting on such mittens, young men are subjected to numerous bites, which cause paralysis of the limbs, but those who withstood the test with dignity are then very proud of their growing up.
