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In Switzerland and southwestern Germany, spring is peak season for a venomous animal. The oil beetle is found in residential areas, lawns, orchards, meadows and forest edges. “They feel especially comfortable in open, sandy, dry and warm places,” says Urs Tester (63), biotope and species expert for nature conservation organization Pro Natura.
The German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) warns that the venom of the beetle is highly toxic even in small amounts. When the little creepy crawlies feel threatened, they release oily droplets from the pores in the knee joints. The oil drops contain the irritating cantharidin.
The amount of poison is enough to kill an adult, BUND’s Lilith Stelzner tells “Spiegel”. “You have to be careful,” she warns. For example, in ancient Greece, the beetle venom was used for poisoning and executions.
Encountering the oil beetles does not necessarily have to be dangerous. Correct behavior is crucial. “You shouldn’t touch the big beetles with your hands,” expert Tester explains to Blick.
Insect of the year 2020
There are 18 different types of oil beetle in Switzerland. According to the German Society for Nature Conservation (Nabu), there are also about 15 different oil beetle species in southwestern Germany. The creeping creatures have also been spotted in northern Germany. A municipality in the state of Schleswig-Holstein even closed parts of a playground at the end of April because oil beetles were found.
The black-blue oil beetle, also known as the mayworm, has been named insect of the year 2020. It reaches a length of up to 35 millimeters. However, there are no signs of a beetle infestation in Switzerland. “There are currently very few sightings of this species, mainly in Valais, in the Rhine valley, in Ticino, at the southern foot of the Jura and in northwestern Switzerland,” Tester explains.
The areas near the German-Swiss border are also home to the violet oil beetle, named after its iridescent violet carapace. Both species are classified as “endangered” in Germany and are strictly protected. Unlike the Mayworm, some oil beetle species are only particularly active in late summer, for example the narrow-winged oil beetle. It stays in rain-protected places such as on walls under balconies, in entrances of houses or old walls.
Stay away from oil bugs
But what do you do if you come into contact with the small animals? Washing hands is the message. Cooling the affected area can also be helpful, advises the German Wildlife Foundation according to “Spiegel”. “If you have symptoms, you should go to the doctor immediately,” advises Matthias Betsche, director of Pro Natura Aargau, in an interview with “Argovia Today”.
It gets really dangerous when you swallow a beetle. In this case it may be useful to call the emergency number. Betsche: “Then you have to go to a hospital immediately.”
Blick readers found Ölkäfer in Niederwil AG
Blick reader Maarten de Leeuwe found the poisonous beetle on his balcony in Niederwil AG. He released the beetle into the garden with paper towels. “I had just read the article and knew not to touch it,” he says. De Leeuwe did not find this strange. “We also had a few Nosferatu spiders in the apartment,” he says.
Another reader encountered the poison beetle while walking in the St. Margrethen SG Donkey Tail Nature Reserve. The nature lover immediately knew from the app that she was not allowed to touch this beetle. Another reader came across the beetle while walking in Preonzo TI. “I’ve only just found out it’s poisonous,” he says.
Dear readers, have you also spotted the oil beetle in your area? Send us a photo here!
In our app, there is direct access to become a Blick reader reporter in the menu bar at the bottom. This allows you to easily send us your videos and photos. What should you do? Choose the desired file, add a short description, enter your phone number and send!
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In our app, there is direct access to become a Blick reader reporter in the menu bar at the bottom. This allows you to easily send us your videos and photos. What should you do? Choose the desired file, add a short description, enter your phone number and send!
Click here for the data protection regulations.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
