Tomcat Beetles Strikes Pamekasan

Pamekasan, E Java (AntaraJatim) - A plageue of rove beetles, locally known as tomcats, has affected Waru Village, Pamekasan, Madura, East Java, for over a week and caused skin irritation to some locals after coming into contact with the insect. One of the victims was Hamdi Djibril, a resident of Waru Village, who developed a burning rash on his face. "I was hanging out with my friend. And then, an insect landed on my face and I suddenly swatted it. It turned out to be a tomcat and I immediately felt a burning skin," Hamdi Djibril said here Tuesday. Dozens of Waru Village residents also had direct contact with the poisonous rove beetles during the week and suffered from burning rash over the skin. "It feels like burning. That's why my face is blistering," said Djibril. Tomcats are important as biological control of pest during the planting season. However, when the rice paddy is harvested, the insects often infested and strike nearby villages. Moreover, rove beetles outbreak occurred in Pamekasan District and Pademawu, subdistrict and affected dozens of local residents. Some landmark in Pamekasan District such as the Arek Lancor Monument in the District Administration Office of Pamekasan, and some administration offices were infested by the insects. (*)