Woman in agony after mysterious 'harmless looking' bug bit her while sitting on the couch - before insect pros reveal its sinister name
- Woman bitten by 'harmless looking bug'
- Felt severe pain before finding out why
A woman has been left in pain after being bitten by a mysterious insect - only to find out it's called an assassin bug because of its nasty bite.
The tiny bug looked harmless sitting on the woman's couch but caused her agony.
She took a picture to ask if anyone knew what it could be - and the information came in fast - with one woman telling her to go straight to hospital.
'Please go straight to the doctor. They will need an injection, antihistamine & pain killer. Good luck,' she said.
Others said the assassin bug's bite is only painful for a little while.
A woman has been left in severe pain after being bitten by this 'harmless looking' bug
'I wouldn't go to the doctor, the pain will be gone by then,' one woman said.
'Their bite hurts. Ice it and will be fine,' said another.
'I got bit by one of those a month or two ago. Hurt a lot but the pain went away after about an hour or so,' said a third.
Others warned that the bug can carry diseases.
Assassin bugs are natural predators for termites, caterpillars and grasshoppers and are found across Australia.
The bugs are known as assassin bugs, and feast on caterpillars, termites and grasshoppers
They ambush their prey and paralyse them with their saliva.
'The fluid immobilises the prey and dissolves its tissues,' according to the Australian Museum.
'If provoked, assassin bugs can bite humans. Their venomous bites are immediately and severely painful. If you are bitten by an assassin bug, be sure to wash the bite and apply antiseptic as needed,' experts from Pest World advise.
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