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.
How dangerous are insects abroad?
- 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.
What should you do if you encounter insects while traveling?
- 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.
Can you eat insects, and what are some tasty insects to try abroad?
- 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.
