Unknown red beetle is feeding on baby neck

Unknown beetle bites into baby neck

07/04/2015

It was a great shock to her mother: a red animal had bitten her baby's neck in the baby carriage. The woman is at first puzzled and in great concern. However, scientists quickly identified the mysterious insect: the beetle larva is harmless.

Harmless bee wolf
In Munich, a red insect had bitten the neck of an infant. At first, it was unclear which animal it was. The mother was very worried. But scientists from the Zoologische Staatssammlung München were able to calm her down. As reported by the news agency dpa, the comparison with data from the international gene database, also from Munich, showed that the animal is harmless. According to the information, it was the larva of the colorful beetle Trichodes apiarius, a non-human insect known as the bee wolf. Normally, the larva of the red-black, one-centimeter-long beetle develops in nests of wild bees. Apparently the animal had lost its way to the child's neck.

Researchers were able to provide medical assistance multiple times
The State Collection is working on the international barcoding project, which aims to register gene sequences of all animal species worldwide. The researchers have been able to provide medical help in several cases. For example, they clarified a spectacular emergency two years ago: A Tibetan tourist was then attacked by the larva of a yak rattle fly. Upon her return, the woman complained of severe pain and swelling in the upper body. It is said that a white maggot was finally removed. A tissue sample proved that it was the second documented infestation of a human by the Yak-Dasselfliege. Their larvae usually develop in the body of ungulates. In recent years, has been reported several times that vacationers increasingly bring exotic infectious diseases home. In some cases, there is a danger of other people becoming infected.

Identify animal species with gene codes
According to the information, animal species can be easily identified using the international barcoding project. To date, around 16,000 gene codes have been recorded from Germany, compared to around 236,000 worldwide. The codes are accessible worldwide via an internet platform. Not only doctors benefit from it, but also investigators. For example, German customs uses DNA codes to better combat the smuggling of protected exotic animal species. In addition, the provenance of jewelery made of teeth, bones or leather can be proven beyond any doubt. Genetic analysis was also involved in the horse meat scandal on the sidelines. Genetic codes could play a bigger role in the food sector in the future. (Ad)