Arthropod bites and stings
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.
Arthropod bites and stings | |
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Specialty | Emergency medicine |
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)
- Mosquitos (Culicidae)
- Botflies (as larvae, Oestridae)
- Sandflies (Phlebotomidae)
- Blow-flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)
- Screw-worm flies (as larvae, Calliphoridae)
Hymenoptera
Siphonaptera (Fleas)
- Fleas (bite)
- Human flea Pulex irritans
- Chigoe flea Tunga penetrans
Phthiraptera (Lice)
- Lice (bite)
- Head lice
- Body lice
- Crab 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
References
- Atkins, Michael D. (1978). Insects in Perspective. Prentice Hall. p. 359. ISBN 978-0-02-304500-4.
External links
Classification |
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