Insects play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Most of them are harmless, but some can be potentially harmful. Although small in size, these insects can be very dangerous at times. Bites of certain insects can prove to be very troublesome, painful and sometimes even fatal. We take a closer look at some of these deadly insects and try to know more about them.
1.Tse-tse flies
They are large, biting flies found in mid continental Africa. They mainly feed on the blood of vertebrates which is the reason they are excessively dangerous. They spread the disease, trypanosomiases in humans by biting their victim and passing it through their mouth parts. At the primary stage, the venom of tsetse flies would makes sleeping sickness on the victim. But it may lead to fatality without proper treatment. It is estimated that about half a million people lost their life by the attack of tsetse flies in Africa.
2.Killer Bees
Killer bees are also known as Africanized honey bees. It is one of the very aggressive and dominant insects in the world. The group of killer bees follows the victim for more than 1 mile. The killer bees mainly target the face and eyes of humans. The killer bees mainly target the face and eyes of humans. In fact, their toxin is not so dangerous but an attack by group of killer bees could cause even death. Interestingly, they were produced originally by cross-breeding of the African honey bee with various European honey bees and were first introduced to Brazil in the 1950s, in an effort to increase honey production. But in 1957, 26 swarms accidentally escaped quarantine. Since then, the species has spread throughout South America and parts of North America.
3.Giant Japanese Hornet
Hornets are types of wasps who mostly live by making nests in trees and shrubs. Asian Giant Hornets are the world’s largest hornets which can measure upto around 2 inches in length. Giant Japanese Hornet is a subspecies of the Asian Giant Hornet. Japanese hornets are very aggressive and fearless in nature. The venom of Japanese hornet would cause an allergic reaction and dissolve tissues within the short time. The repeated stinging from the group of hornets could also results in death.
4.Black widow Spider
They are very venomous insects found in North America and certain parts of South America. The name widow is inspired from the fact that female eats the male after mating. The bite of a Black Widow spider can be extremely dangerous because of the secretion of a neurotoxin called latrotoxin which causes extreme pain in humans and even death if left untreated. The female black widow has unusually large venom glands and its bite can be particularly harmful.
5.Human botflies
The human bot flies mostly found across Central and South America Human botflies have larvae that can transmit life threatening parasites to humans. Also known as torsalo or American warble flies, human botflies are typically transferred by mosquitoes and ticks. When a mosquito carrying the larva of a human botfly lands on the human skin, it drops off the larva onto the skin and leaves it there. After a few days, this larva develops under the layer of the skin and may cause serious infection if not immediately treated. ‘Myiasis’ known parasite infestation makes severe changes in skin tissues.
6.Brazilian Wandering Spider
Also known as Phoneutria, Brazilian wandering spiders are venomous and defensive spiders that live in tropical South America and Central America. Wandering spiders are so-called because they wander the jungle floor at night, rather than residing in a lair or maintaining a web. They are extremely poisonous. In fact, in 2010 Guinness Book of World Records, this type of spider was named as the most venomous spider in the world because of its toxicity. Their venom contains a potent neurotoxin, known as PhTx3 that inhibits glutamate release, calcium uptake and also glutamate uptake in neural synapses. At deadly concentrations, this neurotoxin causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation.
7.Kissing Bug
They are notorious parasite bugs mainly found and widespread in the Americas, with a few species present in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Kissing bugs named after their habit of biting the lip of human while they sleep . They also transmit parasite called as trypanosoma cruzi. The kissing bug disease or ‘changas’ kills 12000 people every year. The changa disease spread to animals and pets in the same way. The kissing bug bite result in instant changes within victim’s body such as welts and rashes.
8.Yellow Jackets
They are very aggressive predatory wasps mainly found in North America. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side-to-side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinging. Although not deadly in themselves, the stings kill many people every year due to allergic reactions. What makes them worse is that they have been known to mark their targets and pursue them relentlessly until a sting has been administered.
9.Deer Tick
Ticks are external parasites which feed on the blood of mammals, birds or reptiles. They are notorious as they are known to cause several disease and problems in the human body like Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus disease, etc. The most well known of these is the Lyme disease. Every year the Deer Tick infects thousands of people with Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease begins with a rash around the bite resembling a bull’s eye. It further affects the joints and the cardiac system and can prove to be fatal, although very rarely.
10.Assassin Bug
They are generalist predators found mainly in North America. They feed on a wide variety of pests ranging from small ones like aphids to larger ones like caterpillars. These patient hunters may either stalk their prey, or quietly wait for an appetizing insect to cruise by, then suddenly attack with their dagger-like, piercing-sucking beak. In humans, they cause the chagas disease which causes heart damage and attacks the central nervous system.
11.Fat tail scorpion
They are one of the most dangerous scorpion species on the planet. They are found throughout the semi-arid and arid regions of the Middle East and Africa. Their common name is derived from their distinctly fat metasoma, or tail, while the Latin name originates from Greek and means “man killer”.[2] Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. The name ‘man killer’ is quite fitting as they are responsible for several deaths every year. Their sting actually turns the area into liquid which makes them lethal and dreaded.
scorpion noir du Sahara
12.Bull Ant
Most species of ants are usually considered to be harmless; some can however be extremely dangerous. The Bull Ant is found mainly in Australia and some parts of New Zealand and is considered to be one of the most venomous species of ants. They are characterized by their extreme aggressiveness, ferocity, and painful stings. Some species are known for the jumping behavior they exhibit when agitated. Massive mandibles cling onto their victim as they then curl their body toward the prey and sting repetitively until dead. The Bull ants’ sting is extremely painful and many deaths have been attributed to this ant.