Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Mass infestation of a rural residential area with millipede larvae: A case report

Document Type : Case Reports

Authors

Jalal Mohammadi 1
Hossein Faramarzi 2
Aboozar Soltani 3

1 Ph.D student, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 M D, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Ph.D, Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/jhsss.2020.85109.1057
Abstract
The class Diplopoda (the millipedes) is the most abundant and diverse group within the Myriapoda, comprising 15 orders and numerous families. They range in length from very tiny (∼5 mm in Polyxenida) to the longest terrestrial invertebrates (some Spirostreptida being up to 35 cm long) in tropical and subtropical regions.
On the 29th September 2018, the residents of Dare Mal (a village of Marvdasht city) were faced with a massive infestation of an unknown larva. Arthropods were transferred to the Entomology Laboratory of Shiraz Health School. The unknown arthropods were identified as millipede larvae belonging to the Polyxenidae family (Polyxenus spp.) Millipede larvae are not of medical importance, but they cause panic among the residents and make them evacuate their homes. The source of their infestation was a leftover farmyard watering near the village.
The number of larvae declined sharply and their activity decreased after conducting the control program. This program included physical control as well as spraying of the infested areas with permethrin and diazinon. Activity of larvae abruptly decreased and eventually they were removed from all infested homes.

Keywords

Millipedes
larvae
infestation
residential areas
Iran
1.         Haddad Jr V, Cardoso JLC, Lupi O, Tyring SK. Tropical dermatology: Venomous arthropods and human skin: Part I. Insecta. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2012; 67(3):331. e1-. e14.
2.         Undheim EA, King GF. On the venom system of centipedes (Chilopoda), a neglected group of venomous animals. Toxicon. 2011; 57(4):512-24.
3.         Dar NR, Raza N, Rehman SB. Millipede burn at an unusual site mimicking child abuse in an 8-year-old girl. Clinical Pediatrics. 2008; 47(5):490-2.
4.         De Capitani EM, Vieira RJ, Bucaretchi F, Fernandes LC, Toledo AS, Camargo AC. Human accidents involving Rhinocricus spp., a common millipede genus observed in urban areas of Brazil. Clinical Toxicology. 2011; 49(3):187-90.
5.         Lima CAJ, Cardoso JLC, Magela A, de Oliveira FG, Talhari S, Haddad Junior V. Exogenous pigmentation in toes feigning ischemia of the extremities: a diagnostic challenge brought by arthropods of the Diplopoda Class ("millipedes"). Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2010;85(3):391-2.
6.         Huynh C, Veenstr AA. Two new Lophoturus species (Diplopoda, Polyxenida, Lophoproctidae) from Queensland, Australia. ZooKeys. 2018; 741:133-54.
7.         Duy-Jacquemin MN, Azar D. The oldest records of Polyxenida (Myriapoda, Diplopoda): new discoveries from the Cretaceous ambers of Lebanon and France. Geodiversitas. 2004; 26(4):631-41.
8.         Rahmani R, Kiasari SM. Relation between millipedes abundance and litter nutritional elements composition in afforested and disturbed sites (Case Study: Darabkola-Mazandaran). Iranian Journal of Natural Research. 2003; 56(3):201-13.
9.         Ahmadi-Akhoorme M, Nohegar A, Soleimani-Motlagh M, Taie-Semiromi M. Groundwater drought investigating using SWI and GRI Indices) case study: Marvdasht Kharameh Aquifer). Scientific Journal of Irrigation and Water Engineering. 2015; 6(21):105-18.
Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System
Volume 7, Issue 1
January 2019
Pages 48-50

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us

Forms