Study of rove beetles, Paederus spp. (Col.: Staphylinidae), the agents of skin dermatitis in north of Iran

Abstract:
Staphylinidae with 3000 species is one of the biggest families of Coleoptera. Paederus genus comprising 600 species are found in tropical and temperate climates. The majority of staphilinid beetles are predators of insect larvae and mites and nematodes and are regarded as biological agents to control agricultural pests. However, because of the "pedrin" poison in their body materials, they are also regarded as medical pests in urban areas. About 30 species of this genus causes skin and eye dermatitis in human, which is called peaderus dermatitis. There are three species of rove beetles in Iran including P. fuscipes Curtis, P. riparius L. and P. littoralis Grav.. These species are distributed in central north and around Caspian Sea areas. Seasonal activities of Peaderus beetles started in early May and three generations were produced in the spring and summer. All activities ended in October. Epidemiological studies in Ramsar and Tonekabon cities and rural areas showed that this disease has occurred in all ages and sexes. The rate of infection in these areas was 3.11+0.29%.