'Fire Bugs' Discovered in Korea

A particularly dangerous type of rove beetles was found in increasing numbers throughout Korea in September and October.

The government took steps to contain the outbreak of the insects, called "fire bugs" in Korean.

The venomous rove beetles were fist reported in late September inside a university dormitory in Wanju, North Jeolla Province.

Later, the beetles were sighted in South Chungheong Province and Gyeonggi Province, and quickly spread to other parts of the nation.

The government fumigated the areas where the rove beetles were found, while warning people to avoid any contact with the poisonous insects.

Health officials said that the beetles do not normally bite or sting, but their blood contains a powerful toxin called pederin.

This toxin can cause skin irritation and blisters when accidentally brushed against the skin.

It also results in a painful burning sensation, which is the reason for the Korean name of the insects.

Health officials advised people to immediately wash their skin if they come in contact with the rove beetles.

The officials added that in the majority of the cases, the irritation and blisters should disappear within two weeks.

In addition, the beetles are mostly active at night and are attracted by strong light.

So, people should make sure to keep their windows shut in the evening.

The "fire bug" is one of about 63,000 different species of rove beetles in the world.

It looks similar to an ant, but with an elongated body and a red or orange thorax.

It is sometimes found in Korea during the late summer months,when it is warm and humid.

 

• outbreak  ˈaʊtbreɪk  (전쟁·사고·질병 등의) 발생[발발]

• contain  kənˈteɪn   (좋지 않은 일을) 방지하다[억제하다]    (감정을) 억누르다[참다] (=restrain)   (무엇의 안에 또는 그 일부로) …이 들어[함유되어] 있다

• step to  …쪽으로 걸어가다.  take step to  ...을 위해 조치를 취하다.

• venomous  ˈvenəməs  독이 있는  venom  ˈvenəm  (뱀 등의) 독[독액]

• were sighted  목격되다  fumigate  ˈfjuːmɪɡeɪt   훈증 소독하다  sting  stɪŋ  쏘다, 찌르다 ,  따끔거리다[따갑다, 쓰리다], 따끔거리게[따갑게/쓰리게] 하다 /   (곤충 따위의) 침[가시]

• toxin  |tɑːksɪn  독소   irritation  ìrətéiʃən   짜증나게 함, 짜증, 격앙, 화, [C] 짜증나는 것, 자극하는 것    irritate  ˈɪrɪteɪt  짜증나게 하다, 거슬리다 ,  (피부 등을) 자극하다

• blister  ˈblɪstə   물집, 수포 (→fever blister)     thorax  ˈθɔːræks   (곤충의) 흉부[가슴]

• elongated  ɪ|lɔːŋɡeɪtɪd  (비정상적으로) 가늘고 긴[길쭉한]  elongate  ɪ|lɔːŋɡeɪt  길어지다, 길게 늘이다 (=lengthen)

• sensation  senˈseɪʃn   (자극을 받아서 느끼게 되는) 느낌 , 감각 (=feeling)  sensational  senˈseɪʃənl   세상을 놀라게 하는, 돌풍을 일으키는, 선풍적인 (=thrilling)