Seasonal abundance of flies (Diptera) in animal farms in some areas of Dhamar governorate, Yemen

Abstract

An entomological study was conducted from June 2011 to May 2012, with main objective to identify, determine the relative abundance and seasonal distribution of biting and nuisance flies parasitizing animals in some areas of Dhamar. A total of 1243 flies were collected from four areas of Dhamar, namely, Rosaba dairy farms, Souk Al-Rabo`a, Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Faculty campus and slaughterhouses. All flies were collected and examined according to standard parasitological techniques. Nine genera of biting and nuisance flies were identified. The genera were Musca, Stomoxys, Luicila, Sarcophaga, Calliphora, Chrysomya, Fannia, Tabanus and Hippobosca and their relative abundance were 51.8 %, 14.8%, 12.6%, 11.3%, 7.4 %, 0.8 %, 0.6%, 0.6% and 0.1% respectively. Significant differences (P<0.05) in the relative abundance of the flies among different genera were observed. The flies population was increased significantly (P< 0.05) with the beginning of the rainy season and reached the peak in April (15.9 %); whereas, declined to its lower level in October (2.5%). The results of this study could be useful for designing control program for controlling biting and nuisance flies in Dhamar Governorate to avoid their impact on animals and their productivity.