26th February, 2024
ANUPA MUKHERJEE
● Tiny but mighty insects might seem harmless, but some pack a lethal punch. ● This list unveils the deadliest, ranked primarily by their potential to transmit diseases to humans.
● Mosquitoes are consistently at the top of the list, causing millions of deaths annually. ● They transmit malaria, Zika, dengue, yellow, and West Nile.
● Found in Africa, this fly carries a parasite, causing African sleeping sickness. ● Symptoms include fever, confusion, and eventually death if left untreated.
● Nicknamed for biting near the mouth, they transmit Chagas disease, a significant health concern in the Americas. ● Long-term complications include heart and digestive problems.
● These aren't all deadly, but some can transmit Chagas disease, like the Kissing Bug. ● Their painful bites can also cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
● Historically notorious! Fleas carried the Bubonic Plague, although this is less common now. ● They still spread diseases like typhus and can transmit parasites like tapeworms.
● These arachnids cling on and transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc. ● Tick-borne diseases are a growing concern in many parts of the world.
● Their venom is exceptionally potent, and multiple stings can prove lethal. ● Attacks are a concern in their native range, primarily Eastern Asia.
● Their stings are very painful and cause pustules in most people. ● A high number of stings or an allergic reaction can be dangerous.
● Bot fly larvae are parasitic, burrowing under the skin. ● While not often deadly, they cause infectious pain and are highly unpleasant.
● This fuzzy critter hides venomous spines. ● Encounters result in an intensely painful, burning sting.