Studies on the incidence, distribution and prevalence of flies of veterinary importance in Nigeria

During an investigation into the prevalence of flies of veterinary importance, insects were caught with nets and light-traps in 29 livestock establishments in Nigeria. About 60% of the flies caught were blood-suckers, and Stomoxys species were the most abundant. Tabanids were also caught in large numbers. More flies were caught in the evening than at any other period of the day. Musca spp. were the predominant non-blood-sucking flies. Others were the mysiasis producing Chrysomya bezziana Villen., C. putoria (Wied.) and Lucilia spp. A few Hypoderma bovis (L.) were found in plateau towns. A greater number of flies was caught feeding on cattle than on sheep and goats. Five main sites were utilised for breeding, and the resting sites and consisted mainly of shade. These sites functioned effectively only when they were in the vicinity of livestock pens and grazing grounds. The implications of the blood-sucking flies as possible mechanical vectors of pathogens are discussed.