Netflix has removed an episode of a cartoon series after viewers claimed to see a penis etched into the background of a scene.

The supposed phallic image was etched on a tree trunk in children's show Maya the Bee which one mother spotted and immediately expressed her concern on Facebook.

“Please be mindful of what your kids are watching!!” Chey Robinson wrote before sharing an image of the scene in question.

“I know I'm not going crazy and I know that something like this shouldn't be in a kids' show whatsoever.”

She added: “I'm extremely disgusted by it, there should be no reason my kids have to see something like this.

Netfix (via Variety)

Streaming service giant Netflix is yet to make a statement about the episode which was animated by Studio 100.

For now, however, young fans of Maya the Bee will have to skip the first season's 35th episode in the US

In a spot of foreshadowing, the synopsis for the next episode to be shown in the UK - on free-to-air channel Tiny Pop - reads: "Join Maya and Willy on their adventures as they discover the world outside their hive."