Middle East DVEP - Armed Forces Pest Management Board

exude serum, itch for several days, or be complicated by secondary infections fromscratching. Enormous numbers of these tiny flies often emerge from breeding sites,causing intolerable annoyance.Breeding habits vary widely from species to species. The larvae are primarily aquatic orsemiaquatic, occurring in the sand or mud of fresh, salt, or brackish water habitats,notably salt marshes and mangrove swamps. Many species exploit specialized habitatssuch as tree holes, decaying vegetation, and cattle dung. Most species remain within 500m of their breeding grounds. Punkies are troublesome mainly under calm conditions, andthe number of flies declines rapidly with increasing wind speed. In militarily secure areas,locate encampments in the open, away from breeding sites, to avoid the nuisance causedby these insects.Larvae are difficult to find, but adults are easily collected in biting collections and lighttraps. Larval stages are best controlled by environmental management. Adult controltypically includes applying residual insecticides to fly harborages, treating screens andbednets with pyrethroids, and using repellents.4. Chilopoda (centipedes) and Diplopoda (millipedes). Centipedes in tropical countriescan attain considerable size. Members of the genus Scolopendra can be over 25 cm longand are capable of inflicting painful bites, with discomfort lasting 1 to 5 hours. Twopuncture wounds at the site of attack characterize the bite. Neurotoxic and hemolyticcomponents of a centipede's venom normally produce only a localized reaction, butgeneralized symptoms such as vomiting, irregular pulse, dizziness and headache mayoccur. Most centipede bites are uncomplicated and self-limiting, but secondary infectionscan occur at the bite site. Centipede bites are rarely fatal to humans, but deaths have beenreported.Centipedes are flattened in appearance and have one pair of legs per body segment. Largespecies may have over 100 pairs of legs. They are fast-moving, nocturnal predators ofsmall arthropods. During the day, they hide under rocks, boards, bark, stones and leaflitter, but occasionally they find their way into homes, buildings, and tents. Mostcentipede bites occur when the victim is sleeping or when putting on clothes in whichcentipedes have hidden. Troops should be taught to inspect clothing and footwear whenliving in the field.Scolopendra spp. are very common in the Middle East. Scolopendra cingulata, S.scutigera, and S. lithobius are species frequently recorded as biting humans in Israel.Millipedes are similar to centipedes except that they have two pair of legs per bodysegment and are rounded or cylindrical instead of flattened. Millipedes are commonlyfound under stones, in soil and in leaf litter. They are nocturnal and feed on decayingorganic matter. They are more abundant during the wet season. When disturbed they coilup into a tight spiral. Millipedes do not bite or sting, but some species secrete defensivebody fluids containing quinones and cyanides that discolor and burn the skin. An initialyellowish-brown tanning turns to deep mahogany or purple-brown within a few hours ofexposure. Blistering may follow in a day or two. Eye exposure may require medicaltreatment. A few species from the genera Spirobolida, Spirostreptus, and Rhinocrichus135