Journal of Environmental Biology

Black fly (Simulium sp) composition, daytime biting activity and possible onchocerciasis infection in north-east, India

Sunil Dhiman¹*, Soilyadhar Hazarika¹, Bipul Rabha¹, Nani Gopal Das¹, Rakesh Kumar Bhola², Vijay Veer¹ and Lokendra Singh¹

¹Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur-784 001, India

²Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781 014, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sunildhiman81@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

04 August 2012

Revised received:

22 March 2013

Accepted:

10 July 2013

Abstract

Pupal stages of Simulium were collected and identified from various breeding habitats of twelve locations in northeastern India. Simulium flies, while attempting to land on human were collected between 07:00- 17:00 hrs to understand the biting pattern. Seven species belonging to three sub-genera, Eusimulium (1), Gomphostilbia (1) and Simulium (5) belonging genus Simulium were encountered. Out of total seven species recorded, S. (E) aureohirtum, S. (G) tenuistylum and S. (S) rufibasis were predominant and shared 30.3%, 29.9% and 27.6% of total collection. Stream breeding habitat contributed 47.3% of total catch and was found to be preferred breeding habitat (p<0.0001). S. (S) christophersi and S. (G) tenuistylum were recorded for the first time from the northeastern region of India. Simuliids biting rhythm showed bimodal pattern and were more active during sunny day (p<0.0001). Microscopic dissection of simuliids (n=266) did not incriminate simuliids as vector of onchocerciasis.

Key words

Aquatic stage, Black fly, Breeding habitat, Microfilaria, Vector

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