When I was quarantined in Taiwan in June 2022, I lived in an apartment on the 13th floor. I saw this insect on the balcony. I later learned that it was Tessaratoma papillosa, also known as the lychee giant stink bug. It is a pest that can cause serious damage to plants, especially lychees and longan. Luckily I’m timid. Although I’m interested in insects, I keep my distance from them. When the Tessaratoma papillosa is threatened, the caustic venom will be ejected from the tail. You have to be very careful when approaching it.
2022 年 6 月在臺灣隔離的時候住在13樓的公寓中，我在陽台上看到這隻昆蟲，後來才知道它是荔蝽，又名荔枝椿象或臭屁蟲。它是一種害蟲，對植物尤其是荔枝、龍眼會造成嚴重危害。幸好我膽子小，我對昆蟲很感興趣，但是對它們保持距離。當荔蝽受到威脅時，會從尾端噴出具有腐蝕性的毒液，務必小心。
Photo Date: 2022.06 Location: Tamsui, Taiwan
Notes 筆記
- Tessaratoma papillosa, the lychee giant stink bug, is a species of bug in the family Tessaratomidae. It is found in Indomalaya, Australasia, and Eastern Asia.
- The sap of the host plants (especially lychees and longan) is sucked by the piercing mouthparts, causing withering of the flower spica, blackening of the peel, falling flowers and fruit or poor growth, and even causing the fruit tree to die.
- Tessaratoma papillosa sprays caustic venom for defense. Do not grab them with bare hands. If you are accidentally sprayed by its venom, it can cause skin burns. You should wash the area with plenty of water and seek medical attention immediately. If medical treatment is delayed, it may leave scars.
- 荔蝽又名荔枝椿象，為荔蝽科下的一個種，香港俗稱臭屁蟲。分佈於印馬拉雅、大洋洲和東亞。
- 以刺吸式口器吸食寄主植物（尤其是荔枝、龍眼）的汁液，造成花穗萎凋、果皮焦黑、落花落果或生長不佳，嚴重甚至造成果樹枯死。
- 荔枝椿象會噴出具腐蝕性的毒液以作防禦，切勿徒手抓取，若不慎被噴到皮膚會導致灼傷，應趕緊以大量清水沖洗，並趕緊迅速就醫，若延誤就醫可能會留下疤痕。
Insects Posts 昆蟲的帖子
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Tessaratoma papillosa
- 維基百科: 荔蝽