Arthropod bites and stings

Arthropod bites and stings
SpecialtyEmergency medicine

Many species of arthropods (insects, arachnids and others) regularly or occasionally bite or sting human beings. Insect saliva contains anticoagulants and enzymes that cause local irritation and allergic reactions.[1] Insect venoms can be delivered by their stingers, which often are modified ovipositors, or by their mouthparts. Insect, spider and scorpion venom can cause serious injury or death. Dipterans account for the majority of insect bites, while hymenopterans account for the majority of stings. Among arachnids spider bites and mite bites are the most common. Arthropods bite or sting humans for a number of reasons including feeding or defense. Arthropods are major vectors of human disease, with the pathogens typically transmitted by bites and rarely by stings or other contact. Another common negative effect is interference with military activity.[2]

Insects

Diptera (True flies)

  • Black flies (Simuliidae)
  • Horse-flies (Tabanidae)
    • Deer flies/Yellow flies (Chrysops)
  • Tsetse flies (Glossinidae)
  • Stable flies (Muscidae)
  • Biting midges or No see-ums (Ceratopogonidae)
    • Highland midge
  • Mosquitos (Culicidae)
  • Botflies (as larvae, Oestridae)
  • Sandflies (Phlebotomidae)
    • Lutzomyia
    • Phlebotomus
  • Blow-flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)
  • Screw-worm flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)

Hymenoptera

  • Ants
    • Bull ants (sting)
    • Fire ants (both bite and sting)
  • Bees
    • Honeybees (sting)
    • Stingless bees (bite)
    • Bumblebees (sting)
  • Wasps (sting)
    • Hornets (sting)
    • Yellow Jackets (sting)

Siphonaptera (Fleas)

  • Fleas (bite)
    • Human flea Pulex irritans
    • Chigoe flea Tunga penetrans

Phthiraptera (Lice)

Other insects

  • Assassin bug/Kissing bug
  • Bedbugs
  • Conenose bug
  • Hippoboscidae (Keds)
    • Deer flies

Arachnids

Spiders

Mites

  • Chiggers
  • Red Poultry Mite
  • Spiny rat mite
  • House mouse mite
  • Northern fowl mite
  • Tropical fowl mite
  • Mange mite
  • Scabies
  • Ticks

Scorpions

  • All species sting

Myriapoda

  • Centipedes

References

  1. ↑ Atkins, Michael D. (1978). Insects in Perspective. Prentice Hall. p. 359. ISBN 978-0-02-304500-4.
  2. ↑ Mehr, ZA; Rutledge, LC; Echano, NM; Gupta, RK (1997). "U.S. Army soldiers' perceptions of arthropod pests and their effects on military missions". Military Medicine. 162 (12): 804–7. doi:10.1093/milmed/162.12.804. ISSN 0026-4075. PMID 9433086.
This article is issued from Offline. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.