24 November 2015 (03:57 UTC-07 Tango 01)/03 Azar 1394/11 Safar 1437/13 Ding-Hai 10th month 4713

“It’s got a wonderful defense mechanism. You don’t dare kill it.”-Parker, 1979 movie Alien

In the African country of Guinea, the Donka University Hospital in Conakry reports an average of 30 infections daily, caused by the Staphylinidae beetle (aka Rove beetle).

The Rove beetles are spreading a disease called dermatite da Paederus.  Apparently it happens when people smash the bug after finding it crawling on them.  The first case in western Africa was documented in 2008.

Don’t smash it!

Dermatite da Paederus has also been found in South America and is considered a tropical disease.  It’s caused by chemicals in the insect which attack the skin after the bug is crushed.