₦airaland Forum

I had my University education in Nsukka where i discovered there is an insect you are not allowed to kill if they perch on your skin. These insects are known as PAPA there. I guess people have different names for it. Some call them ''Skirt and Blouse''.........funny when i heard that one.

The fly is a small beetle that does not bite or sting, but based on its nickname acid bug, guess what it does? The insides of the bug are toxic, and if you smack it against your skin the juices cause a burning rash.

I believe they come by season and during these time, no one dares to sleep facing up. We sleep with blanket covering all parts of our body, because back there in the hostels, all kinds of illumination attracted these insects, be it halogen or florescent lamps. They are always seen at the ceilings waiting to fall on a victim, whether sleeping or not.

We had cases of people having dark line patches on their faces, bodies etc especially one certain pretty girl back then. She was fair in complexion and probably didn't know much about PAPA. she killed the insect on her face by slapping it, and unfortunately for her the liquid left a straight black line like that of a charcoal on her face. hmmm.......you can imagine the look.

Skirt and Blouse ..............lol, i never knew it has different funny names.

What do you call this insect in your place?

Neer seen it

Bikini beetle. Cos it looks like its wearin a red bra and panties

CountDracula:
Bikini beetle. Cos it looks like its wearin a red bra and panties

Did you say ''red bra and panties''?

Eberex:
Did you say ''red bra and panties''?

did I stutter?

Eberex:
Did you say ''red bra and panties''?

did I stutter?

Eberex:
Did you say ''red bra and panties''?

did I stutter?

CountDracula:
did I stutter?

na! sounded kinda funny

Haven't heard and haven't seen it

donholy28:
Haven't heard and haven't seen it

then you must be somewhere outside africa. Count yourself lucky anyway

I remembered the day it kissed me on my lips ............ funniest thing is that it did not leave any scar there

The scientific name of the insect is Paederus species (also known as rove beetles, 'papa', 'bikini beetles', 'charlie beetles' or 'skirt and blouse' in Nigeria). Although the insect doesn't bite or sting, its hemolymph (blood) contains a toxin called 'pederin' that causes dermatitis linearis (also known as paederus dermatitis) when crushed and its hemolymph made contact with the skin. There are about 622 known species of this genus.