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Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1936, Page 14

New Zealand is practically free from poison-inflicting pests, the katipo spider being about the only one of any moment. Recently, however, a poisonous insect has made its presence felt in the vicinity of Wellington (says the Post.) Although the victims have not been able to give a clear description of the pest, it would seem that, in general appearance, it resembles a small house fly. During the last month at least six people in the neighbourhood of Seatoun have been affected, in each case the symptoms being the same. The sting is followed by a rapid swelling of the part afflicted—usually a limb —and there is a certain amount of discolouration, generally of a reddish tint. In the case of one man, who was stung on the right hand, the whole arm swelled alarmingly, and a lump appeared in the armpit. There does not seem to be much pain as a result of the sting, which-after a time, yields to treatment consisting chiefly of hot fomentations. Although several of the victims have had to seek medical aid, doctors have not been able to identify the cause of the poisonous action.