Environmental drivers of breeding sites in blackfly species of medical and veterinary importance in eastern Spain
Geographical distribution and abundance of the pupae of six blackfly species of medical and veterinary concern were studied in eastern Spain according to three different sets of explanatory variables including in-stream variables, both (i) abiotic (i.e., physicochemical) and (ii) biotic (i.e., richness and abundance of either taxonomically or ecologically close related taxa), as well as (iii) meteorological and landscape variables. The results showed specific habitat requirements for pupation in Simulium (Boophthora) erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776) and Simulium (Wilhelmia) equinum (Linnaeus, 1758), two of the six species studied regarding elevation and temperature. While the rest of the spe…
Ecological characteristics of pre-imaginal stages of blackflies (diptera: simuliidae) in Southern England
Data on pre-imaginal stages of blackflies obtained in southern England during the summer and early autumn of 2020 were supplemented by additional surveys and analysed in relation to environmental factors. Fourteen taxa from 29 locations were recorded. Of these, seven are of medical and/or veterinary importance: Simulium (Wilhelmia) equinum (Linnaeus, 1758), S. (Boophthora) erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776), S. (Simulium) intermedium Roubaud, 1906 sensu lato (s.l., a complex of species), S. (W.) lineatum (Meigen, 1804), S. (S.) morsitans Edwards, 1915, S. (S.) noelleri Friederichs, 1920 and S. (S.) ornatum (Meigen, 1818) s.l. Analyses of a variety of environmental factors recorded at the insec…
Health risks of Simulium (Boophthora) erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776) in the Valencian Autonomous Region, Eastern Spain
The presence and distribution of Simulium erythrocephalum (De Geer, 1776) in the Valencian Autonomous Region is analyzed, an arthropod of medical-sanitary importance due to the marked anthropophilic characteristics exhibited and the tendency to carry out massive attacks. The increasing incidence registered in certain areas as a consequence of their hematophagy, and the meager availability of epidemiological, fauna, bioecological, and distribution data, have led to this study. A field study of 137 samplings was carried out from 2013 to the present in the 14 hydrographic basins of the Valencian Autonomous Region. The study variables were the presence or absence of preimaginal states, environm…
Black fly immature stages control efficacy (Diptera: Simuliidae) by means of Bti preparations
In the Valencian Autonomous Region, eastern Spain, for approximately 20 years, there has been a constant increase in populations of Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae). This observation has been evidenced mainly by the medical reports from health centers and hospitals. Due to the inconvenience and damage caused by this insect to the human being, one of the municipalities most affected by the simuliids was chosen, to verify the effectiveness of Bti preparations on immature black fly states. In this article, the results of this scientific experience are presented and its high efficiency in the control of the immature populations of this harmful arthropod is corroborated.
Mosquito Magnet ® traps as a potential means of monitoring blackflies of medical and veterinary importance
Mosquito Magnet® traps, deployed in widespread parts of England as part of nationwide mosquito surveillance projects, also caught blackflies. As many as 1242 blackflies were caught in a trapping session lasting 4 days. Principal among the species caught were Simulium equinum, Simulium lineatum and Simulium ornatum s.l. As S. ornatum s.l. is a vector that transmits Onchocerca linealis to cattle and S. equinum is responsible for dermatitis ('sweet itch') in cattle and horses, it is suggested that Mosquito Magnet® traps could be used to monitor and partially control these pests, as well as nuisance anthropophilic blackflies such as Simulium posticatum that can cause simuliidosis in southern En…
Factores desencadenantes del perjuicio de los simúlidos
El incremento de los daños causados por los dípteros simúlidos, desde finales de la década de los 90, ha suscitado un interés especial en el estudio de este grupo de dípteros en nuestro país. Además de la importancia de los estudios faunísticos, para conocer las especies presentes en nuestros hábitats, resulta de interés conocer otros aspectos ligados a la incidencia de sus ataques tanto al ser humano como a las especies animales de interés veterinario. La revisión del estado actual de la familia Simuliidae en España ha permitido la confección del listado de las 52 especies presentes y sus mapas de distribución. Se han llevado a cabo estudios de eficacia de tratamientos biol…
Parasite-host relationships of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) and black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in southeastern Spain
Abstract Background Documentation on water mites in Spain is scarce, as is information on the parasite-host relationship between certain water mite species and representatives of the dipteran family Simuliidae. The discomfort caused to humans and animals by black flies seems to be increasing in recent years. In this context, an investigation of parasitic water mites is of great importance, not only from the point of view of biodiversity, but also in terms of their potential to control black fly populations. Methods Rivers across a wide region of eastern Spain were sampled to determine the specific richness of simuliid dipterans and to investigate their possible parasites, such as water mite…