Carabid beetle invasion of the ear in Oman

Two cases of human ear invasion by a predaceous beetle, Crasydactylus punctatus Guerin (Coleoptera; Carabidae), are reported from the Sultanate of Oman. The first case was that of a 35-year old woman who suffered a severe otologic injury caused by the biting and chewing of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane. The beetle then entered the middle ear and caused sensorineural hearing loss. The second case involved a 22-year-old male from whose ear a specimen of the same species was successfully removed after it was immobilized with 10% lidocaine spray. These cases are presented with discussion.