Nairobi fly

Short description: Name for two species of beetle

Nairobi fly

Scientific classification
Kingdom:  |

Animalia

Phylum:  |

Arthropoda

Class:  |

Insecta

Order:  |

Coleoptera

Family:  |

Staphylinidae

Genus:  |

Paederus

Species:  |

P. eximius
and P. sabaeus

Binomial name
Paederus eximius

Reiche, 1850

Paederus sabaeus

Erichson, 1840

Nairobi fly (also sometimes "Nairobi Eye"[1]) is the common name for two species of rove beetle in the genus Paederus, native to East Africa originating from Tanzania.[2] The beetles contain a corrosive substance known as pederin, which can cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with skin.[3][4] Because of these burns, the Nairobi fly is sometimes referred to as a "dragon bug."

## Contents

* 1 Description
* 2 Biology
* 3 Relationship to humans
* 3.1 Paederus dermatitis
* 4 References

## Description

Adult beetles are predominantly black and red in colour, and measure 6–10 mm in length and 0.5–1.0 mm in width.[5] Their head, lower abdomen, and elytra are black, with the thorax and upper abdomen red.[6]

## Biology

The beetles live in moist habitats and are often beneficial to agriculture because they will eat crop pests. Adults are attracted to artificial light sources, and as a result, inadvertently come into contact with humans.[6]

Heavy rains, sometimes brought on by El Niño events, provide the conditions for the Nairobi fly to thrive. Outbreaks have occurred in 1998.[4]

## Relationship to humans

### Paederus dermatitis

The beetles neither sting nor bite; their haemolymph contains pederin, a potent toxin that causes blistering and Paederus dermatitis. The toxin is released when the beetle is crushed against the skin, often at night, when sleepers inadvertently brush the insect from their faces. People are advised to gently brush or blow the insect off their skin to prevent irritation.[4][6] Research from a group at the University of Hyderabad in 2024 found that the use of LED lights at night may be a solution to prevent attacks.[7]

## References

1. ↑ Sadhasivamohan (2022). "Nairobi eye – “Wake and see” dise". Oman Journal of Ophthalmology 15: 417-418.
2. ↑ Pokhrel, Amrit; Bastakoti, Sanjiv (2022-09-01). "Nairobi fly in South Asia: A catastrophic threat of the nature" (in en-US). Annals of Medicine and Surgery 81. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104358. ISSN 2049-0801. PMID 36147184.
3. ↑ Qadir, Syed Nurul Rasool; Raza, Naeem; Rahman, Simeen Ber (2006). "Paederus dermatitis In Sierra Leone" (in en). Dermatology Online Journal 12 (7): 9. doi:10.5070/D38b58k49j. PMID 17459295. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8b58k49j.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "'Nairobi fly' doesn't sting or bite, but it sure does hurt". CNN. January 26, 1998. http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9801/26/kenya.beetle.ap/index.html.
5. ↑ Stefano Veraldi & Luciano Süss (1994). "Dermatitis caused by Paederus fuscipes Curt.". International Journal of Dermatology 33 (4): 277–278. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1994.tb01045.x. PMID 8021088.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mammino, Jere J. (November 2011). "Paederus Dermatitis". The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 4 (11): 44–46. ISSN 1941-2789. PMID 22125660.
7. ↑ Kannampuzha, Tejas; Shamanna, B R. "Exploring the use of white Light Emitting Diodes to prevent 'Acid Fly' attacks". Indian Journal of Entomology. doi:10.55446/IJE.2024.2572. https://indianentomology.org/index.php/ije/article/view/2572.

Wikidata ☰ Q60774988 entry

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