Little Bug, Big Mistake

A woman from Maine had quite the scare when she picked up a shiny green beetle during a trip to a state park with her young children. What seemed like a harmless encounter quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation.

Antoinette Webb, 44, described the beetle as “berry green” and “the most beautiful beetle I’ve ever seen.” But moments after picking it up, she felt a burning sensation throughout her body. “I felt like my body was burning,” she recalled, terrified by the reaction that unfolded at Fort Knox State Park.

Webb was with her 9-year-old twins, Ella and Jonah, and understood that time was of the essence as her severe allergy symptoms began to manifest. In a panic, she abandoned the paved path and, instead, rushed up a grassy hill to the park’s gift shop, where she collapsed right in front of Dean Martin, the executive director of Friends of Fort Knox.

“It happened at the bottom of the hill. I made it to the top here and that was it. That’s all I remember,” she said, reflecting on how quickly the situation deteriorated.

Martin, drawing on nearly 20 years of experience as an Army medic, leapt into action. He recounted holding her hand while waiting for emergency services, noting that she had lost consciousness and was struggling to breathe. “Her lips are blue,” he described, adding that his wife helped comfort the children at that stressful moment.

Webb experienced severe symptoms, breaking out in hives and complaining of a constricted throat. During the crisis, she fainted multiple times. “We gave her Benadryl, which was the best we had, and waited for the ambulance crew,” Martin stated.

Fortunately, Webb later credited the Benadryl for buying her crucial time until she arrived at the hospital, where doctors administered four doses of epinephrine.

The beetle turned out to be a six-headed flycatcher, responsible for what was described as a “one in a million” reaction. Martin was fascinated by the bug, noting its iridescent green color, six legs, and harmless nature—though it does have pincers.

Less than 24 hours after the shocking event, Webb and her children returned to thank Martin for saving her life. Overcome with emotion, she said, “Because of you, they have a mother today,” and couldn’t help but cry when she saw him again.

She acknowledged the quick actions taken by Martin and his team, expressing deep gratitude: “When you come to Fort Knox, know that you and your children will be taken care of.”

Martin himself became emotional recalling the event, mentioning that he expects it to be a memorable encounter each time they meet. “I’m sure she’ll be back,” he remarked, contemplating the bond formed through such a harrowing experience. “If the situation had been reversed, I’m sure Antoinette would have done the same for me,” he added.

Attempts to reach Webb for further comments were unsuccessful.