IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

NAIROBI FLIES

6th July, 2022 EXTRA TOPIC OF THE DAY

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In News

  • Recently many students in Sikkim have reported skin infections after coming in contact with Nairobi flies.
  • Nairobi flies, a species of insect native to East Africa, are growing at a fast pace on campus of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT).
  • Nairobi flies, also called Kenyan flies or dragon bugs, are small, beetle-like insects that belong to two species; Paederus Eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
  • They are orange and black and flourish in areas with high rainfall.
  • They contain a corrosive substance known as pederin, which cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with can skin, because of these burns, they are sometimes referred to as a "dragon bug."
  • Like most insects, these beetles are also get attracted by bright light.
  • These insects attack pests that consume crops and are also beneficial to humans, but when they come in contact with humans, they cause harm.
  • In 19998, Major outbreaks happened in Kenya and other parts of eastern Africa. Outside Africa, outbreaks have happened in India, Japan, Israel, and Paraguay in the past.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-are-nairobi-flies-which-are-causing-disease-in-sikkim-8010813/

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