Insects abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What is an insect?

Insects are invertebrates with six legs, a three-part body, and an exoskeleton.
Many insects undergo a complex metamorphosis from larva to adult during their lifetime.
There are millions of species of insects; it is estimated that half of all animal species on Earth are insects.
Ticks, spiders, and mites are not insects; these animals all have eight legs.
The only insect group that is almost always received positively by travelers is butterflies, particularly the large, brightly colored tropical specimens.

Only a few of the millions of insect species pose a danger to humans. The dangers of insects are very diverse, and the size and color of an insect say little about how dangerous they are.
The most dangerous insects are those that serve as vectors for transmitting a virus, bacterium, or parasite from human to human or from animal to human, such as the malaria mosquito and the tsetse fly. Disease-transmitting mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth.
With stinging insects, such as some bee and wasp species, the sting is merely unpleasant for most people, but for people with allergies, the stings can be life-threatening.
Certain ants, beetles, predatory bugs, and horseflies can bite very viciously.
Some caterpillars protect themselves with stinging hairs and/or needle-like spines. Touching them can be painful and sometimes cause prolonged itching.
A number of (rare) fly species have larvae that burrow into your skin and then continue to grow beneath it.
When stinging insects primarily cause itching, scratching the itch causes wounds that pose a risk of infection.
Head lice are also a type of insect you would rather avoid during your trip.

Try to get an idea of any potentially dangerous insects in the region where you are staying; a little knowledge of insects can prevent a lot of screaming, hysterical swatting, and discomfort.
Most insects have no interest in humans; most insects that sting or bite only do this when you corner them, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Avoid bites and stings by sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing protective clothing.
Most insects will keep their distance when you have applied DEET.
Read more about what to do if you encounter a stinging insect or mosquito.

An estimated 2 billion people eat insects annually, with popularity varying greatly by culture and cultural background.
Grasshoppers and crickets are likely the most consumed group of insects worldwide; in many countries, they have traditionally been eaten, and nowadays they are sometimes also consumed in Western countries as an alternative source of protein.
Insect larvae, such as mealworms and caterpillars, are traditionally eaten frequently by residents of tropical countries and can sometimes be found at local markets.
Some ant species and termites are snacked on as eggs or adults in countries such as Colombia, Australia, and South Africa.
Giant water bugs are eaten fried in Thailand, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia; sometimes these animals are confused with or sold as cockroaches.

Access:

Public

Check more