A survey of ectoparasites of cattle in Harar and Dore Dawa districts, Hararghe administrative region of Ethiopia

Ectoparasites were collected from cattle at 13 locations in Harar and Dire Dawa districts of Ethiopia, at different times of the year, from 1982 to 1987. 44 species of ectoparasites, mostly ticks, were encountered. 18 tick species were obtained (in descending order of abundance): Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus pulchellus, A. gemma, R. evertsi evertsi, Boophilus decoloratus, A. lepidum, A. cohaerens, Hyalomma truncatum, H. rufipes [H. marginatum rufipes], R. sanguineus sanguineus, H. dromedarii, R. simus simus, H. impeltatum, H. albiparmatum, H. excavatum [H. anatolicum excavatum], R. pravus, Haemaphysalis aciculifer and R. longus. The predominant tick species in the wet highlands was A. variegatum, while R. pulchellus was predominant in the dry lowlands. 10 species of "stableflies" and related species were encountered (in descending order of abundance): Stomoxys calcitrans, S. nigra [S. niger], S. sitiens, Lyperosia spinigera [Haematobia spinigera], S. varipes, S. bilineata [S. niger bilineatus], S. brunnipes, Lyperosia minuta [H. minuta], L. thirouxi [H. thirouxi] and H. hirtifrons. 7 "housefly" species and a related species were obtained (in descending order of abundance): Musca xanthomelas, M. sorbens, M. crassirostris, M. tempestatum, M. domestica, M. fasciata and Morellia sp. One fleshfly (Sarcophaga ruficornis [Lyopygia ruficornis]), 1 eyegnat (Hippelates flaviceps), 1 lousefly (Hippobosca maculata [H. variegata]), 2 tabanids (Chrysops obliquefasciata and Haematopota patellicorne), 1 mosquito (Anopheles gambiae) and 1 louse (Linognathus vituli) were also encountered. The most widespread biting and bloodsucking fly in Harar and Dire Dawa districts was Musca crassirostris.