Woman warns tourists at holiday hot spot after beetle causes 'horrific' scars

13 October 2023 , 11:29

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Emma Lowry and her partner Jordan Glenn were enjoying a meal when the creepy-crawly struck (Image: @emroselowry/Instagram)

A woman has warned holidaymakers to be careful after she was left with "horrific" blisters and scars after being bitten by a beetle.

Emma Rose Lowry, 28, was on holiday with her partner Jordan Glenn, when she was "walked over" by a tomcat rove beetle whilst enjoying dinner at a resort in Kuta, Bali.

She later spotted a 5cm long blister on her leg and sought answers from health experts who couldn't identify what it was. The following day the blister had burst and the area had become more red. Emma, from Australia, compared the creature to the size of a "bull ant" and warned it is "very venomous."

By the third day, her condition had become worse and she noticed the sudden bruising she had developed had turned into scarring. Emma said she experienced hot and cold flushes, as well as aches and pains. She said her lymph nodes were also up.

Emma said the beetle left a 5cm-long mark on her skin

"Once the blister burst, it really started to spread," she told Daily Mail Australia. "The scarring is still horrific. It's going to take weeks to heal and I may need to have scar treatment." Emma warned her social media followers about the creepy crawlies and said: "I have had antibiotics and will be fine however I just wanted to post this so that people are aware of these little buggers. It's not a tattoo I wanted to come home from Bali with." She emphasised she is warning people to be careful but not to avoid the holiday destination as she "had the best time." She advised holidaymakers to tap chairs before sitting down or to place a towel on the chair.

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According to Royal Horticultural Society, there are over 1000 species of rove beetles in Britain. The beetle can carry a toxin called pedrin, which is said to be more potent than a Cobra's venom. The 1cm-long insect doesn't bite or sting, however, it can spread pederin by brushing against or crawling across someone's skin. People can also catch the toxin by using a towel or bed sheet that a beetle has been on. They are mainly found at night time and are drawn to artificial light. Holidaymakers are advised to check their hotel rooms.

Monica Charsley