In Northern Cyprus, the appearance of a giant finger-eating beetle is denied

In Northern Cyprus, information about the appearance of a giant bug biting the legs of vacationers on the island's beaches has been refuted. The statement regarding Europe's largest predatory insect, which allegedly appeared on the eastern coast of Cyprus, was made by employees of the Tashkent Nature Park.

Representatives of the reserve claim that the news of the discovery of a giant aquatic bug, known as the "finger eater," on the coast of Cyprus, does not correspond to reality.

The statement says that the study, referred to in the reports, was partially conducted by arthropodology specialist Kadir Bogach Kunt, who works at the Cyprus Institute of Wildlife Research.

"We regret to note that unsubstantiated claims are being spread that an insect that eats human fingers has been discovered on the coast of Cyprus. Such claims have no real basis," the nature park statement said.

The statement emphasizes that the work with a detailed description of the taxonomic classification of this insect, cited by the media, was published about eighteen months ago. It clearly states that this insect does not feed on human fingers.

It is worth recalling that it was previously reported that the largest predatory insect in Europe had allegedly been spotted on the beaches of Cyprus. It is believed that the huge water beetle was first identified in Cyprus in late spring or early summer of 2020 and 2021, on beaches in the eastern or northeastern part of the island.

The giant water beetle resembles a giant cockroach, but in reality, it is a huge predatory insect, with a length of up to 12 cm. Despite its intimidating appearance and painful bites, which are considered venomous, this type of insect does not pose a threat to human life.

There have been no reports of this insect attacking humans.