Helops pernitens Darkling Beetle (Helops pernitens) on May 8, 2020

Submitter has sample
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

Beetle with large parasite coming out of butt. Have both in container and I’m positive this is the kind that infected my daughter as an infant. Would like to know what kind of parasite this is. My neighbors all do also with dogs.

Not sure how long I can keep it alive in the container. Especially the parasite without a host. But I have photos and a video and I still have the photos of the diapers full that my daughter literally pooped out. I think it’s schistosomiasis but I’ll leave that for experts. Being accused of munchausen by proxy isn’t fun when your child literally pooped out worms.

Commentary

Dear Chelsey, if possible please send in the specimen put in alcohol. At initial review, this looks like the ovipositor of that beetle, especially as I see what appears to be sclerotized portions toward the apex. This is Helops pernitens (or a related species), which are associated with dead trees. I suspect the long ovipositor is for depositing eggs in bark crevices. Regardless, I know of no threadworms that infect both beetles and people. So, please send in the specimen for further investigation. Thank you, Helmuth Rogg

Helmuth Rogg
May 11, 2020, 5:14 a.m.