Man's Toe Turns Black After Beetle Secreted in Shoe

A 30-year-old man from northern Israel, identified only as Nadav, experienced a disturbing incident when his toe turned black after working for hours with a beetle trapped inside his shoe. Initially mistaking the sensation for a stone, Nadav continued his work until he removed his boot that evening and discovered the insect. The discoloration of his toe, which he described as looking "burned," prompted him to seek medical attention.

He presented at the emergency room of the Galilee Medical Center (formerly Poriya), where he was examined by a vascular surgeon. Despite the alarming appearance, Nadav reported no pain, numbness, or weakness in his foot. Medical tests did not reveal any acute vascular issues requiring hospitalization or intervention.

Experts believe the incident was caused by a defense mechanism of the beetle, likely from the Tenebrionidae family, possibly of the genus Blaps. According to Dr. Leibele Friedman, curator of the beetle collection at Tel Aviv University's Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, these beetles secrete caustic, foul-smelling substances to deter predators. When trapped and pressed inside a shoe for extended periods, this secretion can accumulate and irritate the skin.

Friedman noted that while such secretions can cause burning and discomfort, they are not considered life-threatening. He has encountered cases, particularly in children whose skin is more sensitive, where the secretion led to burns or ulcers, but these typically healed quickly. Dr. Inbal Fox, a district infectious disease consultant, added that while this specific beetle is not venomous, other insect bites can transmit diseases like rickettsiosis, which can cause lesions due to the destruction of small blood vessels, accompanied by fever and headaches.