CNN reporter freaks out after giant bug lands on him on camera | indy100

A CNN reporter had an “unwelcome visitor” make his way up his suit on Thursday, when a giant cicada landed on him as he prepared to go live.

Manu Raju was getting ready to begin broadcasting from the US Capitol building when the insect began crawling up the collar and around his neck, with the reporter completely unaware of the bug as he chatted to colleagues.

Shortly after the insect disappears, Mr Raju places a hand behind his neck and quickly swats the beast to the ground.

Several profanities then followed.

“F**king cicada,” the broadcaster can be heard saying. “What the hell? Do I have more on me?

“Where are all these f**king cicadas coming from?”

The 44-second clip soon went viral online, as many compared the incident to other videos of reporters being freaked out by bugs while doing the day job:

@mkraju It’s gonna come down to you vs @abbydphillip (lizard attack in Florida) vs. @joejohnscnn (a rodent of some… https://t.co/Q0StM3ujJb
— Elie Honig (@Elie Honig) 1622151999

@mkraju LOL, Manu! I have to say you really kept your cool. I think many other folks would have been like that Flor… https://t.co/qgMHqsGyss
— Russell Drew (@Russell Drew) 1622153688

@mkraju @RexChapman Welcome to the “Field Reporter freaks out on bug” club. At least you didn’t swallow it. 😂 https://t.co/xqx7OOdymX
— JerriLynn (@JerriLynn) 1622154418

@mkraju the bleeping is a nice touch
— Brian Stelter (@Brian Stelter) 1622153218

@mkraju That cicada is the least swarmy thing on Capitol Hill
— TWalsh (@TWalsh) 1622151765

Others responded to say that the insects were their nightmare fuel:

@mkraju My nightmare.
— Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlan Collins) 1622152393

@mkraju @Acyn This is the stuff of my nightmares. Major big bug phobia.
— Elizabeth Vargas (@Elizabeth Vargas) 1622152118

@mkraju Does everyone who works with you hate you? Why would no one point out the giant nightmare bug as it CRAWLED TOWARD YOUR FACE?
— not productive (@not productive) 1622152885

In a follow-up interview, Mr Raju revealed that another cicada had reportedly fell out of his pocket, and that the 15-year-old daughter of a producer was tasked with bleeping the now viral clip.