Biological peculiarities and the spread of invasive hematophagous insects from the family Hippoboscidae (Diptera) in animals from the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

This paper elucidates the results of arachnoentomological research on wild and domestic animals from the Republic of Moldova, which was highlighted with representatives of various groups of temporary or permanent ectoparasites (hard ticks, sucking louse, chewing louse) and species of hematophagous insects from family Hippoboscidae (Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758) and Lipoptena fortisetosa (Maa, 1965)), which differ morfologically from each other by their terminalia, that has specific features for each species. The parasitological research carried out during 2015-2020 on cattle grazing near the forest strips from the Central Zone of the Republic of Moldova, allowed to identify both species of invasive hematophagous insects from the family Hippoboscidae: Lipoptena cervi with EI – 25,0% and II - 15-45 ex., and Lipoptena fortisetosa (Maa, 1965) with EI – 85,0% and II - 25 – 65 ex. Also, the presence of Lipoptena fortisetosa in horses (EI-20,0%, II-25-80 ex.) was reported. Both hematophagous insects have an important vectorial role, as they can participate in the transmission of extremely dangerous diseases such as exotic encephalitis, anthrax, piroplasmosis, plasmosis and filariasis, and other species of bacteria form the genera Bartonella, Borrelia and Anaplasma, (Bartonella schoenbuchensis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum), dangerous for both humans and animals.