Citizens in Shenzhen recently reported that they found many black tiny insects on their clothes and body, according to Southern Metropolis Daily.
Based on photos presented by the residents, Liu Yang with Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the black bug is an agricultural pest called thrip.
Thrips live on Ficus concinna, a kind of fig which is commonly seen in the city. Thrips are attracted to light and may fly to residents’ homes at night.
As temperature climbs up with more rains during the season, many insects are coming out, according to Liu.
Han Shichou, a researcher with the Biological Resources Application Institute of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, said that thrips will die very soon when adhering to objects. So residents don’t need to worry about it.
The insect is normally harmless to people. However, few would feel itchy because of the acidic substances secreted by the insect, according to Han.
If the insect is beneath the eyes, residents are advised to use water to wash them away.