Dragon-fly Bite or some other insect

kerry4sam

I got this really bad insect bite on my left ear v-recently that I'm being told is from a DragonFly but I cannot say as I did not see what bit me as I was planting flowers on my Late Loving Dads grave.

The result was a seriously swollen ear; liquid spread up the left side of my head and down my left-side of neck. A great doc at SouthDoc prescribed tablets that worked wonders and after 3-days swelling almost all gone.
Their was still some fluid left yesterday that spread around my left-cheek and eye-socket that led to what looked like a bad swollen eye.

I am not allergic to anything, that I was aware of before this. Since I didn't see what bit my ear, I still don't know what caused this.

Would the above have been caused by a dirty DragonFly, or something else? Anyone else bit by DragonFlies? Did this happen?

Many Thanks,
kerry4sam

/frightened the bejazus outta me, all this swelling and movement of fluid around my entire left-side of my head.

Birdnuts

I've never heard of anyone been bitten by a dragonfly. Its just not their MO. Sounds more like a Horse-fly or mosquito.

wexie

Without seeing it I'd certainly be inclined to say horsefly, they're feckers and their bites can certainly cause quite severe swelling

CJhaughey

I would agree with a Horsefly bite, but I have been bitten by a dragonfly, finger swollen and very sore for a few days.
Predatory insects that have been around for a looong time like the dragonfly probably have some things in their arsenal that we don't commonly know about.
Get some Antihisan cream, well worth having on hand.

Bonedigger

I too have been bitten by a dragonfly.As a child I tried to catch one with my hands and learnt soon enough that they do indeed bite!The bite felt like a mild wasp sting.So while it's not their 'modus operandi',as Birdnuts points out,they will do so to protect themselves.I would think it was most likely a horsefly,mosquito or even a flying-ant.I was covered in flying-ants a couple of evenings ago and while brushing them off,I got what I believe was a bite.To be fair it wasn't bad,just a mild burning sensation.

kerry4sam

^^^

Many Thanks for your replies above,

4-days on and clearing up nicely.
Antihisan cream is certainly something I'll pick up in the pharmacy tomorrow

Thanks again,
kerry4sam

axe2grind

Only for Anthisan I'd have scratched myself to death by now

Even got some in Nigeria to assist me on my travels.

I've handled plenty of Dragonflies but never been bitten by one.

fryup

wexie wrote: »

Without seeing it I'd certainly be inclined to say horsefly, they're feckers and their bites can certainly cause quite severe swelling

its the female of the species that are more deadlier than the male

Bonedigger

Just for the doubters out there:

http://worlddragonfly.org/?page_id=5

swifts need our help!

There is another insect that bites and usually goes un-noticed until it bites. It causes blisters on me. For now I've forgotten its name.

Its small, predates aphids and has a Scottish sock design on its wings. It only a few mm long

swifts need our help!

Flower bugs Anthocoris nemorum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_flowerbug

recedite

Amazing... it is a Scottish sock design!

siledee

fryup wrote: »

its the female of the species that are more deadlier than the male

Ahhh...one of my favourite tunes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1NBpVKWh_c