Millipede larvae invasion into a rural residential area: a case report

Background: The class Diplopoda (the millipedes) is the most abundant and diverse group within the Myriapoda, comprising 15 orders and numerous families. They range in length from very tiny (∼5 mm in Polyxenida) to the longest terrestrial invertebrates (some Spirostreptida being up to 35 cm long) in tropical and subtropical regions.Methods:In 29th September 2018, the residents were faced with a massive infestation of an unknown larvae. Arthropods were transferred to the Entomology Laboratory of Shiraz Health School. Unknown arthropod was identified as millipede larvae belongs to the Polyxenidae family (Polyxenus spp.)Reasults:Millipede larvae were not of medical importance. But they caused panic among the residents and it had caused them to evacuate their homes. The source of the infestation was an old place for Livestock watering near the village.Conclutions:The number of larvae declined sharply and their activity decreased after running the control program. The control program included physical control as well as spraying of the infected area with permethrin and diazinon. Activity of larvae decreased and eventually they were removed from all infected homes

Keywords:

Millipedes , larvae , infestation , residential areas , Iran.