Following the recent “major outbreak” of termites in Shanghai and the appearance of a large number of termites flying around the city, there has been an outbreak of bamboo locusts in some areas of Taohuang County, Yiyang City, Hunan Province, which has also been attacked by “tarantula hawk” insects. Once human skin comes into contact with the “tarantula hawk,” blisters will form.
On June 15, according to a report by Keji Technology, due to the recent drought, “tarantula hawk” insects have appeared in Daligang Town, Taohuang County, Yiyang City, Hunan Province. Local farmers disclosed that the “tarantula hawk” insects have overrun the orchards, devouring all the leaves of a tree within half a day.
The report also mentioned that a large-scale outbreak of bamboo locusts has occurred in some areas of Taohuang County recently, covering an area of nearly 400,000 mu. The appearance of the “tarantula hawk” is related to the bamboo locusts.
The “tarantula hawk” is a flying insect that, although it does not bite humans, can secrete a toxic fluid when startled. Once the skin comes into contact with this fluid, blisters will form, taking several days to recover.
The larvae of the “tarantula hawk” feed on locust egg clusters in the soil, helping to control the damage caused by bamboo locusts. However, the adult “tarantula hawk” is a pest that poses a threat to certain plants and humans.
On June 12, a report by “The Paper” stated that from the evening of the 11th, residents in Shanghai had trouble sleeping as a large number of termites swarmed and flew in the central urban area. Many Shanghai residents commented that it felt like “snowing” and that they were experiencing a sense of intense fear.
Shanghai netizens shared their experiences: “Walking down the street, swarms of ants were coming at me at every intersection, impossible to avoid. I ended up with many of them in my clothes, and my face and neck have several yellow bean-sized bumps, an experience we haven’t had in the Longning District in recent years, truly frightening.” “The annual invasion of termites has returned, signaling the start of the hot and humid low-pressure weather. The dense flight of termites under the streetlights on the way home, flying onto the body and face like cotton seeds, truly troublesome.”
The Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminded residents that when a large number of termites fly out of small holes in indoor walls, beams, wooden pillars, door frames, and window frames, caution should be exercised. These areas may hide termite nests. Under no circumstances should insecticides be sprayed or termite nests be pried open, as this would cause the hidden termite army to move, relocate, and spread, leading to greater damage. It is recommended to contact professional technicians from termite control organizations to handle the situation.
Public records show that termites are insects of the order Isoptera in the family Termopsidae. They are warm-loving insects whose main diet consists of cellulose and hemicellulose from plants and wood.
(Previous report:
A large number of termites invade, 152 households in Yuhang, Hangzhou, issue distress calls.)