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Homescience

These 10 bugs look cute — until you find out what they can do

They may look tiny, colourful, and harmless, but appearances can deceive. Some of the cutest-looking bugs on Earth hide shocking abilities that can sting, spray, or even invade their prey.

Sheetal Kumari | October 22, 2025 / 15:58 IST
1/10
Ladybird Beetle: Cute and colorful, ladybirds emit poisonous yellow liquid when threatened and can infest houses in large groups. (Image: Canva)
Ladybird Beetle: Cute and colorful, ladybirds emit poisonous yellow liquid when threatened and can infest houses in large groups. (Image: Canva)
2/10
Assassin Bug: The patterned body appears harmless, but it bites painfully and injects lethal saliva that dissolves prey. (Image: Canva)
Assassin Bug: The patterned body appears harmless, but it bites painfully and injects lethal saliva that dissolves prey. (Image: Canva)
3/10
Bombardier Beetle: The small beetle has the ability to fire scalding chemicals from its abdomen with explosive power to protect itself against predators. (Image: Canva)
Bombardier Beetle: The small beetle has the ability to fire scalding chemicals from its abdomen with explosive power to protect itself against predators. (Image: Canva)
4/10
Kissing Bug: It appears harmless, but its bite can transmit Chagas disease, a potentially fatal infection that infects millions. (Image: Canva)
Kissing Bug: It appears harmless, but its bite can transmit Chagas disease, a potentially fatal infection that infects millions. (Image: Canva)
5/10
Giant Water Bug: From cute to cruel, it delivers enzymes to victims to break down insides and then sucks in the liquid feed through a straw-like mouth. (Image: Canva)
Giant Water Bug: From cute to cruel, it delivers enzymes to victims to break down insides and then sucks in the liquid feed through a straw-like mouth. (Image: Canva)
6/10
Flower Mantis: Lovely camouflaged among flowers, this killer attracts insects with colours before delivering a lightning attack. (Image: Canva)
Flower Mantis: Lovely camouflaged among flowers, this killer attracts insects with colours before delivering a lightning attack. (Image: Canva)
7/10
Antlion Larva: It disguises itself in sand pits like an evil cartoon character, ensnaring unsuspecting ants before swallowing them whole. (Image: Canva)
Antlion Larva: It disguises itself in sandpits like an evil cartoon character, ensnaring unsuspecting ants before swallowing them whole. (Image: Canva)
8/10
Botfly: Appears fuzzy and harmless, yet its larvae tunnel under animal or human skin and feed until mature. (Image: Canva)
Botfly: Appears fuzzy and harmless, yet its larvae tunnel under animal or human skin and feed until mature. (Image: Canva)
9/10
Bullet Ant: It appears to be a giant ant, but one of the most painful experiences for human beings is its sting. (Image: Canva)
Bullet Ant: It appears to be a giant ant, but one of the most painful experiences for human beings is its sting. (Image: Canva)
10/10
Japanese Giant Hornet: Its rosy face deceives you—this hornet stings, kills bees in dozens, and induces violent allergies. (Image: Canva)
Japanese Giant Hornet: Its rosy face deceives you—this hornet stings, kills bees in dozens, and induces violent allergies. (Image: Canva)

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