Flies Flashcards
What are diptera?
Flies
means 2 wings
What are the subgroups of flies/diptera?
Brachycera - short antennae
Nematocera - long antennae
What are the direct and indirect effects of flies?
Direct:
-bites and allergies
- bot flies
- myiasis
indirect:
- transmission of infections
What are the subgroups of nematocera flies?
Simuliidae
Culicidae
Ceratopogonidae
Psychodidae
Describe the features of simuliidae flies
Black flies
- eggs and larvae in fast flowing water
- cause sweet itch in horses
Describe the features of psychodidae flies
Sand flies
- eggs and larvae in humid soil
- transmits protozoan Leishmania
Describe the features of ceratopogonidae
Biting midges
- eggs and larvae found in water or moist ground
- causes sweet itch in horses
Describe the features of culicidae flies
Mosquitos
- eggs and larvae found in water or moist ground
- transmits dog heart worm (dirofilaria immitis)
What common diseases are transmitted by mosquitos?
Heartworm - dirofilaria immitis
Malaria - plasmodium spp
What are the families of brachycera flies?
Muscidae
Tabanidae
Hippoboscidae
Glossinidae
Oestridae
Sarcophagidae
Calliphoridae
Which flies are included in the family tabanidae
Horseflies, deer flies, clegs
What flies are included in the family hippoboscidae
Louse flies, keds
Obligate ectoparasites - both males and females feed on bood
What flies are included in the family glossina and what does it cause?
Tsetse flies
Trypanosomiasis
What genus/flies are included in the fly family oestridae (bot flies)
Gasterophilus (horse bot)
Oestrus (sheep nasal bot fly)
Hypoderma (heel flies, warble flies, cattle grubs)
What is flystrike/myiasis?
Flies lay eggs into wounds, orifices or rotten fleeces
Adult flies are attracted to moist wound, skin lesion or soiled hair where they feed and lay eggs
What is the effect of flystrike/myiasis
Infested animal may die from shock, histolysis or secondary infection
Describe the features of the fly family calliphoridae
Blow flies/bottle flies
Cause strike in sheep and rabbits
Describe the features of the fly family sarcophagidae
Flesh flies
Obligate larval parasite
Rapid and severe myiasis
What flies are included in the family muscidae
Houseflies
Head flies
Stable flies (blood feeder)
Horn flies (blood feeder)
Describe the effects of sheep head fly
Hydrotaea irritans
- feed on secretions from eyes, nose and debris at horn base
- feeding causes irritation and scratching -> resulting in wounds
Describe the effects of horn flies
haematobia irritans
- takes blood meal, causes painful bites
What bacteria can flies act as vectors in infection for?
Pinkeye
Summer mastitis
Can transmit faecal pathogens e.g., salmonell and campylobacter
Describe husbandry control of flies
- remove litter/manure, carcasses
- ensure animals are healthy
Describe the mechanical control of flies
- barriers, meshes, traps
- cleaning/burning
Describe the chemical control of flies
insecticides, repellents
Describe the biological control of flies
- parasitoid wasps
- nematodes/bacteria