Dermatitis after contact with Pheropsophus sp (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Brachininae) in the Pará State, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract: Dermatitis caused by bombardier beetles is rarely reported. Here, we report a case of beetle-caused dermatitis that occurred in Pará State, the Brazilian Amazon. A female patient while putting on her shoes, felt a burning pain in the right hallux and noticed a beetle inside the shoe. During medical consultation, the physician observed that the injury site was brown and discolored. The patient complained of localized burning pain and blurred vision. The beetle responsible for the injury was identified as Pheropsophus sp. Administered treatment included cleaning with saline, analgesics, and topical hydrocortisone acetate and the patient was discharged without complaints.

A Case of Chemical Burn by Pheropsophus Jessoensis / 대한피부과학회지

Pheropsophus jessoensis, bombardier beetle, when physically assaulted, produces diverse toxicants, often at high concentrations, including acids, aldehydes, phenols, and quinones. They can eject these fluids forcibly, in the form of sprays, at 100degrees C. In this way, it induces a chemical burn to their enemies, including humans. We experienced a man who got a chemical burn by a biological pulse jet from Pheropsophus jessoensis, which has not been reported in the Korean literature.