The mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) has long been suspected to be ineffective for species identification when employed alone. Some Lucilia (=Phaenicia) cuprina Wiedemann have mtDNA haplotypes closely resembling those of Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae), indicating paraphyly of L. cuprina with respect to L. sericata. Therefore, we evaluated the nuclear 28S rRNA and the mitochondrial cox1 genes to distinguish between L. cuprina and L. sericata using new DNA data from Northwest Africa. The current study provides the first evidence that L. cuprina occurs in Northwest Africa. The cox1 and the 28S genes were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed using the maximum likelihood method with 1000 bootstrap replicates. Sequencing yielded around 675 bp for cox1 and 633 bp for 28S. All the sequences were accurately identified using the BLASTn and submitted to GenBank. The 28S analysis confirmed the two species' mutual monophyly. In contrast, the cox1 analysis showed that L. cuprina is divided into two distinct clades, paraphyletic with respect to L. sericata. The 28S sequences clustered together do not exhibit any geographical consistency. Despite the paraphyletic relationship between L. sericata and the two forms of L. cuprina, mtDNA appears to be useful in differentiating between these two species. However, L. cuprina subspecies, L. cuprina cuprina (Wiedemann) and L. cuprina dorsalis Robineau-Desvoidy cannot be differentiated using the 28S and cox1 genes, nor can their distinctions be assumed based on their geographic locations, especially in regions where they are found in coexistence.

The Hippoboscidae (Diptera) are a family of obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites of birds (louse flies) and mammals (keds) that are known to vector pathogenic agents. Citizen scientists collected 4365 hippoboscids of 12 species, from 117 host species, in the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man, as part of the 'Mapping the UK's Flat Flies Project'. Of the 212 host-parasite interactions recorded, 70 were previously unreported in the region. Analyses of host characteristics showed evidence of niche separation by host size of the sympatric generalist species Ornithomya avicularia (L.) and Ornithomya fringillina (Curtis). Comparisons with data from a previous study, published in 1962, showed that all three generalist species in the genus Ornithomya increased their host associations during a period of climate and other anthropogenic changes: for example, the switch by some species of gulls (Laridae) to anthropogenic food sources has occurred over the same period that louse flies have started to parasitize them. These changes may have consequences for human and other animal health.

We conducted a study on different aspects of the biology and ecology of the recently described Rhipicephalus hibericus Millán, Rodríguez-Pastor and Estrada-Peña (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in agricultural and riparian habitats of its type locality (Zaragoza, north-east Spain), with a focus on seasonal dynamics of questing individuals and the identification of the main hosts (both through live-trapping and molecular blood meal analysis in questing adults). We further evaluated the effect of potential wildlife hosts (micro and meso-mammals, and birds), habitat (agrarian and natural) and climate variables such as temperature and relative humidity, on the dynamics of the three stages. The activity of the adults of R. hibericus was detected from early spring to early summer. Questing tick abundance was higher in the natural than in the agrarian habitats. Captures revealed that adult ticks parasitized meso-mammals in spring, while larvae and nymphs were found only in summer in the three dominant micromammals: the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus Lataste (Rodentia: Muridae)) (mean prevalence 52%), the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus Linnaeus (Rodentia: Muridae)) (44%) and the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula Hermann (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae)) (41%). No R. hibericus was detected on any live-trapped bird. Blood meal analysis of questing adults confirmed the prominent role of the Algerian mouse as the feeding source for nymphs but also revealed that they can also feed on other unidentified hosts, such as the red kite (Milvus milvus Linnaeus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae)). This study aims to increase the knowledge of the biology of R. hibericus, as well as to provide information about the exposure to this tick species in an area where humans, wildlife, ticks and pathogens are in close contact.

Salt marsh mosquitoes must adapt to the ephemeral conditions of coastal areas. Historical findings from mark-release-recapture experiments, combined with accidental captures out at sea, suggest that salt marsh mosquitoes use wind-borne migration as one strategy to cope with temporally harsh environments. Considering the recent evidence reappraising the scale of wind-borne mosquito movement, we review the evidence for salt marsh mosquito migration and the possible evolutionary drivers. Source: Created with BioRender.com.

Lice are very common ectoparasites of humans and other animals. These ectoparasites cause various health problems in the hosts, like alpacas, such as intense itching, skin irritation, hair or wool loss, anaemia, and, in severe cases, reduced milk and meat production due to the stress they cause in the host. Epidemiological studies in alpacas are necessary to determine the magnitude and distribution of lice infestation, which would assist in the implementation of control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of lice infestation in newborn and young alpacas (crias) from the provinces of Canchis and Espinar, located in the southern Peruvian Andes. Veterinarians examined a total of 383 alpaca crias less than 6 months of age to diagnose lice infestation. Lice were collected and preserved in 80% ethanol for morphological diagnosis. Also, all animal data such as sex, breed, province, and herd size were recorded for analysis. Lice were detected in 352 out of 383 (91.9%; confidence interval (CI95%) = 88.7%-94.4%) alpaca crias, and three species of lice were identified: two Anoplura from the Microthoraciidae family corresponding to Microthoracius praelongiceps (Neumann, 1909) (91.9%; 353/383) and M. mazzai Werneck, 1932 (18.5%; 71/383), and one Mallophaga from the Trichodectidae family corresponding to Bovicola breviceps (Rudow, 1866) (11.5%; 44/383). The parasite load was very high, especially in the areas of the neck, arms, legs, armpits, and groin in the infested animals. Only the infestation for M. praelongiceps was associated with provinces but not with other variables. M. mazzai and B. breviceps infestations were not associated with any variable. Future epidemiological studies will be necessary to better understand the interactions between the species of lice and risk factors such as local characteristics and livestock husbandry, as well as the negative effect caused by this parasitism in alpacas.

Viruses transmitted by biting midge species of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) affect and threaten human or animal health worldwide. In Mauritius, the risk of virus introduction through imported livestock or travellers is high, while serological evidence has demonstrated the circulation of two Culicoides-borne viruses in domestic ruminants and native deer, namely, bluetongue (BTV) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHDV) viruses. To this day, no data at the main island scale have been published on the diversity and distribution of Culicoides species present in Mauritius. A spatial survey across Mauritius was conducted using black light suction traps (OVI traps) from 10 to 20 April 2023. Nineteen farms were selected to cover a diversity of hosts and environments. The traps were operational from dusk to dawn, with a single night capture per site. While the presence of Culicoides imicola Kieffer and Culicoides enderleini Cornet and Brunhes in Mauritius was confirmed, two additional species were detected, Culicoides kibatiensis Goetgheguer and Culicoides bolitinos Meiswinkel. All species were distributed all over the island. Overall abundance ranged from 4 to 19,764 females, with a mean and median abundance of 2,010 and 352 individuals/night/site. The total number of individuals collected during the study was highest for C. imicola (21,065) and lowest for C. bolitinos (313). All four species are Afrotropical and are suspected or historically known to be involved in BTV and EHDV transmission. While intra-specific morphological variations were detected, genetic analyses did not reveal any cryptic diversity. This work has updated the faunistic inventory of the genus Culicoides of veterinary interest in Mauritius and established a list of 4 Afrotropical species known to be vectors and distributed on the island. The abundance of Culicoides was relatively low as compared to mainland Africa but in the range of other islands in the south-west Indian Ocean region. Further work will investigate the temporal dynamics of the four species to identify high-risk seasons.

Fleas are important for their role as parasites causing pulicosis or tungiasis, and as vectors of pathogens that can cause diseases in humans and other animals, in tropical and subtropical regions, with a disproportionate effect linked to contexts of structural poverty and social exclusion. This study evaluated the risk factors for flea parasitism in dogs and cats from urban (Ur) and rural (Ru) households in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, through seasonal sampling between March 2017 and February 2018. Prevalence (P), mean intensity, and mean abundance of the host-associated variable were calculated. To identify associations between the presence/pseudoabsence of fleas and the explanatory variables, a generalized linear mixed model was constructed. A total of 1932 fleas, identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), were collected from 402 dogs (PUr = 79.8%; PRu = 88.4%) and 87 cats (PUr = 77.6%; PRu = 66.7%). The prevalence was higher in rural dogs. Regarding host species, the prevalence in dogs was higher than in cats in rural areas. Tunga penetrans L. (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) was observed in 195 dogs (PUr = 31.97%; PRu = 70.48%) and 29 cats (PUr = 4.46%; PRu = 59.46%), which was also more common in rural areas. Risk factors for C. f. felis presence in dogs included young age, lack of antiparasitic treatment, peridomestic fumigation, bare soil and lower humidity and temperature four weeks prior to sampling (w-4). In cats, infestation was associated with young age, the presence of infested dogs in the same household, and higher vegetation coverage. In both hosts, T. penetrans infestation was positively associated with no antiparasitic treatment, lower humidity in w-3, and higher humidity in w-1 and higher temperature in w-2. The findings indicate that the factors influencing the presence, prevalence and abundance of C. f. felis and T. penetrans may differ according to host, socio-environmental, climatic and soil conditions in each locality. The establishment of institutional policies is imperative to effectively manage flea parasitosis, particularly in regions of socio-environmental heterogeneity.

Dromedary camels Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus (Artiodactyla, Camelidae) are vital to the livelihoods of nomadic and pastoralist communities in the Sahara Desert. However, they are susceptible to ectoparasites, which can significantly impact their health and productivity, as well as their potential role in transmitting zoonotic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, species composition and infestation levels of ectoparasites in dromedaries from different camel herds (CH) across northern Algeria's Sahara Desert. Additionally, we assessed the effects of CH and camel age and sex on parasite loads and infestation patterns regarding the host's affected body region. A total of 68 camels out of 135, randomly selected from four herds CH1-CH4, were surveyed for ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were counted, collected and identified in the laboratory. Pearson correlation tests were employed to analyse the relationship between parasite indices. Similarity analysis was conducted to compare ectoparasite species composition among the sampled CH. The overall infestation level of ectoparasites across the CH was 61.76% with 511 ectoparasite individuals identified. Significant regional variation in tick prevalence was observed: CH1 (88.24%), CH2 (64.71%), CH3 (58.82%) and CH4 (35.29%) (p < 0.001). The most prevalent ectoparasites were ticks, with four species identified: Hyalomma dromedarii Koch (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (45.21%), Hyalomma marginatum marginatum Koch (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (18%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Latreille (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (7.63%) and Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus (Ixodida, Ixodidae) (4.9%). In addition, one mite species Sarcoptes scabiei Linnaeus (Sarcoptiformes, Sarcoptidae), one flea species Ctenocephalides arabicus Jordan (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae) and one fly species Wohlfahrtia magnifica Schiner (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) were identified. Similarity analysis showed a 70% overlap in ectoparasite species composition between herds, suggesting common environmental and management-related risk factors. Overall, the abdomen exhibited the highest percentage of ectoparasites at 22.7%, followed by the neck and sternum (17.8%), and the anal and tail area (17.4%). Adults accounted for 86.1% of infestations, with notable contributions from the abdomen (17.0%) and neck/sternum (15.9%), while young camels made up only 13.9%. The high ectoparasite infestation level, particularly ticks, underscores the need for a comprehensive control plan, especially in herds managed under extensive or nomadic systems. Future research should focus on identifying risk factors and exploring ectoparasite control strategies to reduce the burden on camel health and prevent potential zoonotic disease transmission in the region.

Host-parasite systems play a key role in biogeography, with parasites influencing the distributions of their hosts and vice versa. The biodiversity of flea species on the subfamily Sigmodontinae is especially valuable for studying parasite-host-environment interactions. This study evaluates the biogeographic relationship between rodents of the Phyllotis xanthopygus complex (Rodentia, Cricetidae) and their flea assemblage, applying the favourability function in the modelling distribution. The aim was to identify the different environmental factors that favour the distribution of both, and to detect areas of greater shared favourability. This is the first study on fleas using a methodology based on fuzzy logic that helps to disentangle the main factors that determine favourable environmental conditions for parasites and hosts. Using the fuzzy logic modelling technique and fuzzy intersection, union, and inclusion as the fuzzy operators, we were able to specify the territories with maximum simultaneous fleas-Phyllotis xanthopygus complex favourability in the study area. The model results showed that climate was the main factor influencing the distributions of fleas and hosts. The variables most relevant to the rodents were the minimum temperatures in the coldest month and the annual temperature range. The most important predictors for fleas were the mean diurnal range temperatures and the precipitation in the coldest quarter. The maximum simultaneous rodent-flea favourability occurred in the Cuyan High Andean and Puna provinces (South American transition zone). This study explores the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of rodent-flea associations, highlighting their ecological and public health implications.

In recent decades there has been a huge increase in the export of cut flowers from countries in Africa and elsewhere to European flower markets, with the vast majority first entering the Netherlands for local use or for export. Coincidentally, three significant livestock disease outbreaks caused by viruses associated with Africa or other tropical regions were first detected in the Netherlands (bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8), 2006, and BTV-3, 2023) and in western Germany about 200 km from the Netherlands border (Schmallenberg virus, SBV, 2011). This study aimed to determine whether Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the vectors of BTV and SBV, are present within flower-packaging plants in East Africa, and therefore whether Culicoides could be unknowingly exported during the shipping of cut flowers. Field sampling was undertaken at a flower-packaging facility in Kenya, East Africa. The facility undertook all stages of cut flower production from maintaining rootstock through to packaging and shipping to an airport for international export. Trapping was undertaken at each stage of production (rootstock, propagation, inside growing greenhouses, in the packing-house, inside cold-storage rooms, during transportation) using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Light Emitting Diode (LED) light traps. Hand-held aspirators were used to obtain individual insects directly from flowers and around composting sites, while emergence traps studied insect emergence from compost, leaf litter and flowers discarded at quality control checkpoints. A maximum nightly catch of 269 Culicoides was identified on a half-acre smallholding, containing 15 ruminants and 40 birds, located 20 m from the nearest greenhouse. The greatest numbers of Culicoides were trapped at a pond (n = 23) and leaf-litter compost site (n = 19) within the curtilage of the flower-packaging plant. Of the seven greenhouses sampled, three had Culicoides trapped overnight (mean = 4, range: 1-9), and no Culicoides were trapped in the propagation units. No Culicoides were trapped in the pack house, cold-store, or during transportation of the flowers to the airport for shipment. No Culicoides emerged from emergence traps or were trapped when aspirating directly from flowers. This is the first study to investigate whether Culicoides are present within flower packaging plants in Africa. The results highlight that although present in small numbers both outside and within greenhouses, the presence of Culicoides declined with each stage of production. Therefore, the risk of exporting Culicoides with packaged cut flowers is non-zero but likely very small.