Twelve Lampang Officials Fall After Eating Giant Scale Insects

Twelve Lampang Officials Fall Ill After Eating Giant Scale Insects

Twelve officials at Ban Huad Subdistrict Office in Lampang developed diarrhoea and dizziness after eating insects collected from a tree outside their workplace. The insects were identified as giant scale insects, which are larger than common varieties and attach themselves to tree bark to feed on sap. One official initially ate the insects with salt and rice without becoming ill, prompting colleagues to deep-fry more of them and share the food. Most of those affected experienced mild symptoms, while three were taken to hospital for further examination. The exact cause of the illness has not been confirmed, although theories included the insects absorbing substances from the monkey pod tree or being mistaken for an edible species.