An insect which can give painful bites has been spotted in Largs.

The picture shows a dark giant horsefly (Tabanus sudeticus) which has even been termed 'Dracula-like' because of its nasty bite.

Ian Dalgleish, of the Largs and Millport News Camera Club, captured the image and said: "It was in the marina car park on June 24 and about two centimetres long."

There have been other reported sightings on the west coast of Scotland during the past week.

Horsefly bites are large, painful and may bleed. They often become infected.

Unlike midge bites, which are mainly just an inconvenience, a horsefly bite can take much longer to heal because they cut into the skin rather than pierce it, which can lead to the the wound becoming become infected.

Some people can also suffer allergic reactions to horsefly bites.

It is only the female horseflies which bite - they have jagged, saw-like teeth which they use to slice open skin, and require blood to produce eggs.

These insects release an anti-coagulant to prevent the blood from clotting.

Warning- see horsefly bite below.

Horsefly bites can develop into large, red, itchy, swollen bumps within minutes. For most people they're completely harmless, but they're very uncomfortable.

Some people also report feeling hot, weak and nauseous.

An infected bite can result in redness, oozing, and extreme pain. Visit your GP if you're suffering from an infection.

Itchy swellings can also occur around the eyes and lips following a bite.

In exceptional cases some people can suffer an allergic reaction with symptoms including dizziness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, a blotchy skin rash and severe swelling.

If you suffer any of these reactions, seek medical help immediately.

If you receive a bite, ensure the wound is clean, then add an ice pack to the area of skin to soothe the itching .

Doctors normally recommend using an over-the-counter steroid cream containing hydrocortisone. Ibuprofen gel can also help ease any pain and swelling.

The NHS provides the following advice: "A bite from a horsefly can be very painful and the bitten area of skin will usually be red and raised.

"Horsefly bites can take a while to heal and can become infected. See your GP if you have symptoms of an infection, such as pus or increasing pain, redness and swelling."