Swarms of blood-sucking flies that target groins and trigger swelling and fever are expected to terrorise Brits this week. The UK is in for a scorcher over the coming days, with temperatures set to hit 27C tomorrow.
But sunbathers should be wary of Blandford flies, which will emerge over May, June and July. Before mating, the females seek out human blood to drink before letting amorous males have sex.
Less than 3mm long and black, the bugs are hard to spot because they fly low to the ground and usually target ankles, legs and the crotch.
More serious reactions include swelling to the groin, along with a fever and blistering, the Daily Mirror reports. Suzanne Bannister was bitten by the monstrous Blandford flies last summer.