Beetles

Many Australian and overseas beetles produce toxic or irritant substances in venom, saliva or haemolymph. Allergy to these substances may cause problems for individual patients, who may require treatment with antihistamines or even adrenaline in severe cases. Irritant substances are common, and local pain or itch may be relieved by the application of ice packs or iced water. Whiplash rove beetles (Paederus sp.) are particularly associated with severe exfoliative dermatitis.

The order Coleoptera is the largest insect order. It contains four suborders, with many families and around 350, 000 species.