CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – This week, the Gulf Coast of Texas has been hit by a wave of stinging crickets, spiny creatures that can inflict a painful sting…
Fireworms, also known as bristle worms, are tiny insects covered in tiny, needle-like spines filled with poison, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
Over the past two days, the creature had washed up on a large log covered in barnacles, which the researchers said could be the insect’s role in feeding on the barnacles.
The Gulf of Mexico Heart Institute is warning beachgoers to be on the lookout for the creatures, as they can cause extreme pain if touched.
“Warning!!! Your worst nightmare is about to manifest in the form of a bearded firebug!” they said.
When the spines break off and pierce the victim’s skin, they can cause pain, itching and a burning sensation – this sensation is where the name fire bug comes from.
The pain can last for around three hours, and depending on where the hair was, the wound site may be sensitive for several weeks, according to the institute.
Fireworms are found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and typically feed on sea anemones, corals, barnacles and other crustaceans, according to the institute.
If you do get stung by a firebug spine, the National Park Service recommends removing the spine with adhesive tape and applying ammonia to the area to relieve pain.
