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.
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