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 In the US solifugids are less than 2" (50 mm) in length (body) with a back leg to pedipalp span of around 4-5" (125 mm). In other regions of the world the leg to pedipalp span can be as much as 6" (150 mm). So why are these arthropods commonly reported to be much bigger?
First, solifugids move fast. People are innately fearful of fast-moving arthropods and almost always exaggerate their size. Second, the long, forward-projecting pedipalps make the overall body size appear larger when viewed from above. While camel spiders may serve as a good vehicle for teaching new soldiers about the dangers of desert wildlife, the real threats are from much smaller arthropods.
Dangerous insects, spiders and other arachnids in Iraq
Mosquitoes, sand flies** and scorpions, not camel spiders, are the main arthropod threats to anyone in the deserts of the Middle East. Mosquitoes occur anywhere there is standing water and may transmit the malaria pathogen, and other serious diseases. Phlebotomine sand flies are small, delicate, hairy flies similar in appearace to drain flies (Psychodidae). They are vectors of the human pathogen causing leishmaniasis, a very serious skin and internal organ disease. Repellents containing DEET and permethrin-treated clothing are effective for both mosquitoes and sand flies.
**sand flies are sometimes called sand fleas.
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