Beware of Rove beetles

Contact with the substance that rove beetles emit cause painful blisters.

MALACCA: The Rove beetle or what is popularly known as “Charlie Ants” could cause painful wounds on the human skin, warns Malacca Hospital emergency and trauma specialist Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Kadir.

He said caution should be exercised during the peak season for rove beetles, which is during the rainy season, although no recent cases of wounds caused by the insects have been reported here.

The Rove beetle scare emerged after a number of cases were reported in the northern states and one in Ampang, Selangor recently.

Dr Abdul Rahman said the small sized insects could cause excruciating pain when crushed on the skin.

“Those in contact with the insects should avoid crushing the ant and avoid skin contact,” he said.

He said the Rove beetle was less than one-centimetre long with a dark orange body while the upper portion and the head are black.

“The insects are usually found in moist areas such as padi fields and are attracted to light when dark,” he said.

He said the beetle emits a toxic compound called pederin when crushed and that this causes blisters that could become inflamed and painful.

He said people should go to the doctor immediately if their skin is exposed to the pederin and avoid applying medicine on their own to prevent infection.

He added that the insect should be blown off or removed without crushing it.