This sounds disgusting...

Deb London · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 03:51 PM

I've just read the following on a members-only local natural history forum. I have no reason to think this is a wind-up.

Quote:

I've just been asked to ID an insect. A friends mum got bitten on her leg behind the knee. It was very painful an swelled up like a water blister about 1cm across. It popped and out came an insect 9mm long bright red with a long pointed head and the wings were clear. I will be getting a photo and can email that on. Any ideas?

Any ideas anyone?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 03:54 PM

Not anything from this country. I think they need the hospital for tropical medicine in London.

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 03:58 PM

Yes, I have been searching Google and have decided this type of thing is not a common occurrence in the UK. She must have been bitten in another country.

Meta menardi · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 04:01 PM

Pink Butterfly?

Deb London · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 04:10 PM

I've just spent ten minutes researching insects that lay eggs under human skin. To be honest, if I was his Mum, I'd prefer to think it was an unidentified pink butterfly and "just one of those things" rather than any of the alternatives.

Bumderess · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 08:43 PM

I think a visit to the Doctor as soon as possible is needed. This is indeed disgusting!

Matt Smith · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 08:47 PM

Lets see a photo of the "emerging insect" first. I don't know of any insect that could emerge from a human body with "a pointed head and clear wings". I suspect some confusion and exaggeration, or perhaps an "urban legend" repost.

Littlesparrow · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 09:32 PM

There is a grub which develops under human skin, but people bring it back to this country after being bitten in hot climes, I think it turns into a fly. The way to kill the grub is to put vasoline over the entrance which suffocates it then you can pull it out with tweezers.

Littlesparrow · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 09:33 PM

P.s. goggle Bot fly.

Matt Smith · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

There is a grub which develops under human skin, but people bring it back to this country after being bitten in hot climes, I think it turns into a fly. The way to kill the grub is to put vasoline over the entrance which suffocates it then you can pull it out with tweezers.

Yes - Human Bot Fly - I've seen it. A friend of mine had one in his arm, being an entomologist he kept it to try to rear it out. However, what comes out of the arm is a maggot, not anything with wings.