Muscidae Research Articles

Pollination services in the North China Plain measured using buckwheat sentinel plants; is there a deficit?

The transition of food systems for healthy diets and sustainable food systems calls for greater production of fruit and nuts, i.e. pollinated crops. The North China Plain (NCP) is a cereal dominated area that needs to transition to a more sustainable food system with a nutritionally more diverse output. Buckwheat pairs high nutritional quality with low input requirement, but it is pollination dependent. There is little knowledge on the pollinator communities and pollination service in the NCP. We selected Quzhou county as a study region on the NCP, and used potted plants of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) to measure pollination in three treatments: insect exclusion, open pollination, and honeybee supplementation. Measurements were made at 24 sites across the county in 2021 and 2022. At each site, we directly observed the activity of flower-visiting insects and measured the pollination rate, seed set, seed abortion rate and yield-related indicators. Most flower visits were made by hoverflies (Syrphidae) and flies from the families Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, and Calliphoridae. Compared with open pollination, insect exclusion reduced buckwheat pollination rate and seed set by more than 90 %. Without honeybee supplementation, the pollination rate in different experimental sessions was reduced by 12–21 %, and the seed set was reduced by 22–33 %. Honeybee supplementation increased harvest index and seed weight per plant with factors of 1.6 and 2.0, respectively. Hence, a pollination deficit would exist if only natural pollinators were relied upon. Managed honeybees provide an efficient means for enhancing pollination of buckwheat in the North China Plain.

Identification and distribution of some medico-veterinary important pathogens in muscid flies in two geographical regions of Türkiye.

Some dipteran flies play an important role in the transmission of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoan and metazoan parasites in humans and other animals. Despite this importance, knowledge of the prevalence and molecular characteristics of some pathogens in flies is limited, and no data are available for Türkiye. In this study, we investigated the possible vector role of muscid fly species for the transmission of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Desportes (Chytridiopsida: Enterocytozoonidae), Encephalitozoon spp., Coxiella burnetii Derrick (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae) and Thelazia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. The flies were trapped in different animal-related places and surroundings from two different geographical regions of Türkiye including Central Anatolia and Middle Black Sea. According to the morphological keys, 850 (85%), 141 (14.1%) and 6 (0.6%) of the total of 1000 fly specimens identified as Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae), Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) and Musca autumnalis De Geer (Diptera: Muscidae), respectively. The other species including Haematobia irritans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae), Muscina stabulans Fallén (Diptera: Muscidae) and Hydrotaea ignava Harris (Diptera: Muscidae) were each represented by a single specimen. Screening of the pathogens identified E. bieneusi only in M. domestica with a prevalence of 2.4%. Sequence analyses identified three known genotypes, Type IV, BEB6 and BEB8, and one novel genotype named AEUEb of E. bieneusi in M. domestica. Coxiella burnetii was detected in M. domestica and S. calcitrans with prevalences of 2.9% and 2.8%, respectively. The one specimen of H. ignava was also positive for C. burnetii. Encephalitozoon spp. and Thelazia spp. were not found in the examined specimens. Our results contribute to the current knowledge on the vector potential of muscid flies and their possible role in the transmission dynamics of certain pathogens, especially in regions where diseases are prevalent and affect public and animal health.

First record of the phoretic association between Pediculaster sp. (Pygmephoridae) mites and Musca crassirostris (Muscidae) flies in India

This article reports for the first time a phoretic pygmephorid mite on a muscid fly from India, with pygmephorid mites classified under the order Prostigmata and the family Pygmephoridae. The mites, identified as species of the genus Pediculaster belonging to the family Pygmephoridae, were collected in July 2019 from Khajjiar town, located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The flies, identified as Musca crassirostris belonging to the family Muscidae, were also noted. While this study marks a significant step in Indian research, further investigation is warranted to comprehensively compile data on the species accuracy of mites and their habitat preferences.

An illustrated identification key to early instar larvae of forensically important Muscidae (Diptera) of the western Palaearctic region

There is a significant gap in the availability of comprehensive identification keys for the early larval stages of forensically important fly species. While well-documented identification keys exist for the third instar larvae, particularly for the Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae families, there is a notable scarcity of keys for the first, except Calliphoridae, and the second instar larvae, with no such resources available for muscid species. The second instar larvae suffer the most from the lack of morphological descriptions and available identification keys. The Muscidae is one of the most frequently reported dipteran families of forensic importance colonising animal cadavers and human corpses. Nevertheless, descriptions of the morphology of their early instars remain scarce and limited to only a few species, thus their larval identification is challenging or impossible. Considering the numerous challenges associated with studying small-sized entomological material, we tested whether it is feasible to identify muscid flies to the species or at least genus level based predominantly on the details of the cephaloskeleton. To overcome the obstacle of observing details of small sclerites, especially their shapes and interconnections, we effectively employed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as a supplementary method for light microscopy (LM). This study provides an identification key for first and second instar larvae of forensically important muscid species from the western Palaearctic (Europe, North Africa, Middle East). The proposed key primarily utilises details of the cephaloskeleton with only addition of external morphology.

The genome sequence of a muscid fly, Hydrotaea diabolus (Harris, [1780

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Hydrotaea diabolus (a muscid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Muscidae). The genome sequence is 1,074.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including two putative supernumerary B chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.73 kilobases in length.

Exploring genital and pregenital musculature in Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae: Reinwardtiinae): Insights into evolutionary relationships with subfamily Azeliinae

AbstractThe male genital, pregenital skeleton, musculature of male terminalia, and the ovipositor were studied in Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp). A comparison was conducted between the terminal segments and muscles of S. nudiseta and previously studied species of the subfamily Azeliinae. Notable differences were found between previously studied species of the subfamily Azeliinae and Synthesiomyia + Muscina. These differences correspond to apomorphic character states in Synthesiomyia + Muscina, including the large size of the ejaculatory apodeme and the powerful constrictors of the ejaculatory apodeme M 23; the completely membranous sternite VI; the membrane connection of the muscle ISM 5 (lower); the small size of pregonites and postgonites; and the joints of the phallapodeme muscles М 21 at the base of the hypandrial arms. Based on these differences, Synthesiomyia + Muscina can be assigned to the subfamily Reinwardtiinae, as has been confirmed by recent molecular studies. However, similarities in the set of pregenital muscles and the set of phallapodeme muscles between Synthesiomyia + Muscina and the Azeliinae were also noted. These similarities may be considered as plesiomorphic character states, indicating their phylogenetic relationship. It can be argued that Reinwardtiinae + Azeliinae constitute sister groups and occupy the basal position within the family Muscidae.

New faunistic data on Diptera (Hexapoda, Insecta) from the Ziarat Juniperus forest ecosystem (Pakistan).

This study presents the first faunistic record and DNA barcoding for some Diptera species recorded from the Juniperus forest ecosystem of Balochistan, Pakistan. DNA barcoding was used to explore species diversity of Dipterans and collections carried out using a Malaise trap between December 2018 to December 2019. This process involved sequencing the 658 bp Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene. Amongst the collected Diptera specimens, nine families were identified, representing 13 genera. These species include Atherigonasoccata (Rondani, 1871), Atherigonavaria (Schiner, 1868), Chironomusdorsalis (Meigen, 1818), Eupeodescorollae (Linnaeus, 1758), Eristalistenax (Linnaeus,1758), Goniaornata (Meigen, 1826), Luciliasericata (Meigen, 1826), Paragusquadrifasciatus (Linnaeus, 1758), Polleniarudis (Fabricius, 1794), Raviniapernix (Thompson, 1869), Sarcophagadux (Thompson, 1869), Trupaneaamoena (Schiner, 1868) and Wohlfahrtiabella (Linnaeus, 1758). The families Syrphidae and Sarcophagidae exhibited the highest representation, each comprising three genera and three species. They were followed by the family Muscidae, which had a single genus and two species. Anthomyiidae, Chironomidae, Calliphoridae, Polleniidae, Tachinidae and Tephritidae were represented by only one genus and one species. A nique Barcode Index Number (BIN) was allotted to Tachinidae (specie i.e Goniaornata). The results indicated that barcoding through cytochrome oxidase I is an effective approach for the accurate identification and genetic studies of Diptera species. This discovery highlights the significant diversity of this insect order in study region. Furthermore, a comprehensive list of other Diptera species remains elusive because of difficulties in distinguishing them, based on morphology and a lack of professional entomological knowledge.

The genome sequence of a muscid fly, Polietes domitor (Harris, 1780)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Polietes domitor (muscid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Muscidae). The genome sequence is 1,043.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.95 kilobases in length.

The genome sequence of a muscid fly, Hydrotaea cyrtoneurina (Zetterstedt, 1845).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Hydrotaea cyrtoneurina (muscid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Muscidae). The genome sequence is 575.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 19.6 kilobases in length.

Cutaneous and conjunctival habronemosis in horses treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Santa Catarina State University, Brazil.

Habronemosis, also known as habronemiasis or habronematidosis, is a parasitic disease of equids caused by the larval stages of Habronematidae nematodes (Habronema muscae, Habronema microstoma, and Draschia megastoma) that are transmitted by muscid flies. The presence of aberrant infective larvae in the cutaneous and conjunctival tissues of these hosts results in granulomatous, exudative, and ulcerated lesions, also known as "summer sores." In this study, we present a retrospective analysis of habronemosis cases in horses from the municipality of Lages, located on the Santa Catarina Plateau, a region with high altitudes and a temperate climate that differs from regions of Brazil where such parasitosis usually occurs. The equids were examined from 2008 to 2020 at the Veterinary Hospital of Santa Catarina State University. Sixteen patients were diagnosed and treated using macrocyclic lactones and wound cleaning. Most cases were recorded in autumn in horses (10/16, 62.5%) over 15 years of age (11/16, 68.8%), and the lesions were more frequently located in the conjunctiva (11/16, 68.8%). In scientific dissemination media, this is the first report of habronemosis on the Santa Catarina Plateau, Brazil. This information will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases in horses in this region.

The Defensive Behaviors and Milk Production of Pastured Dairy Cattle in Response to Stable Flies, Horn Flies, and Face Flies.

Thirty-four crossbred dairy cows were observed on pasture six times per week from June to August 2014 at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center grazing dairy in Morris, MN, for defensive behaviors in response to three species of muscid flies. Counts of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)), horn flies (Haematobia irritans (L.)), and face flies (Musca autumnalis DeGeer) were recorded before and after pasture observation. Individual cows were monitored for 5 min intervals to observe the frequencies of five different defensive behaviors: front and back leg stomps, head tosses, skin twitches, and tail swishes. Fly numbers averaged 5 stable flies per leg, 37 horn flies per side, and 1 face fly per face during the study. The fly counts and behavior frequencies increased with ambient temperature. The results showed a very strong relationship between the numbers of flies and numbers of defensive behaviors, though correlations between specific flies and behaviors were low. Younger cows had fewer stable flies and horn flies than older cows. The thresholds of flies to lower production for pastured organic dairy cows may be greater than 5 for stable flies, 37 for horn flies, and 1 for face flies.

Competition among invasive and endemic carrion fly species in theGalapagos Islandswith implications for biological control risk assessment

AbstractThe composition of the necrobiome community in the Galapagos Islands is poorly understood, and nothing is known about the dynamics between endemic species and those introduced through human activity.To determine the composition of the carrion fly community, specifically members of the families Muscidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, we deployed four kinds of carrion bait traps during the cool and hot seasons at two lowland and two highland sites on Santa Cruz Island within the Galapagos archipelago. We also conducted a laboratory experiment to assess resource competition between fly species encountered in the baiting study.Of the eight fly species found in our baited traps, all were introduced except for the endemic sarcophagid,Sarothromyiops dasycnemis.Four endemic and one native carrion‐feeding species that had been previously recorded on this island were not found. The introduced sarcophagid,Peckia chrysostoma, was the most abundant fly species, comprising over half of the collected specimens, and it was highly dominant at the lowland sites. The endemic species,S. dasycnemis, was only recorded at the lowland sites during the hot season. On the other hand, the calliphorid species were dominant at the highland sites.Experiments demonstrated thatP. chrysostomais a strong competitor against other carrion fly species in the Galapagos necrobiome, including the endemicS. dasycnemis.A comparison of our data with historical records, combined with the results of our laboratory study, leads to the conclusion that introduced carrion fly species, such asP. chrysostoma, represent a threat to endemic carrion fly species, such asS. dasycnemis.Three parasitoid species were reared from 19% of the collected fly puparia. Two of these species attacked fly larvae (Brachymeria podagricaandAphaeretasp.), whereas one species attacked fly puparia (Exoristobiasp.)We discuss our results in light of the possibility of the purposeful introduction of a parasitoid as a biological control agent against the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi; Diptera: Muscidae) in Galapagos.

Susceptibility of the adult house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) and 3 of its principal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to the GHA strain of Beauveria bassiana and 4 isolates from field-collected muscid flies.

House fly (Musca domestica L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) populations can negatively impact poultry layer facilities, posing a risk to human and animal health and egg food safety. House flies quickly develop resistance to traditional chemical control methods; therefore, improved biological control may provide opportunities for improved integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Biological control methods currently used include augmentative releases of pteromalid pupal parasitoids and application of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. This study used bioassays to compare the impact of different B. bassiana strains on survival of house flies and of 3 species of filth fly parasitoids. The B. bassiana that were compared were 3 new field-collected isolates, an older field-collected isolate (L90), and a common commercially available strain (GHA). Flies and parasitoids were exposed to filter paper treated with 1.5 × 109 spores of each strain and a control. All field-isolated strains induced lower mean survival times in house flies than GHA did. The results for all species of parasitoids demonstrated less difference among the treatment groups and the control than in-house flies. Although there was some effect of B. bassiana exposure on parasitoid mortality, the expected spatial separation of parasitoids from areas of application may offer some protection. Using the most effective tested strains of B. bassiana and filth fly parasitoids jointly could be a biological component of an IPM plan for fly control in poultry facilities.

Predator–prey interactions in the Arctic: DNA metabarcoding reveals that nestling diet of snow buntings reflects arthropod seasonality

AbstractTundra arthropods are of considerable ecological importance as a seasonal food source for many arctic‐breeding birds. Dietary composition and food preferences are rarely known, complicating assessments of ecological interactions in a changing environment. In our field study, we investigated the nestling diet of snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis (L., 1758)) breeding in Svalbard. We collected fecal samples from 8‐day‐old nestlings and assessed dietary composition by DNA metabarcoding. Simultaneously, the availability of potential prey arthropods was measured by pitfall trapping. Molecular analyses of nestling feces identified 31 arthropod taxa in the diet, whose proportions changed throughout the brood‐rearing period. Changes in nestling diet matched varying abundances and emergence patterns of the tundra arthropod community. Snow buntings provisioned their offspring mainly with Diptera (true flies) based on both presence/absence and relative read abundance of diet items. At the beginning of the season in June, Chironomidae (nonbiting midges) and the scathophagid fly Scathophaga furcata (Say, 1823) dominated the diet, whereas the muscid fly Spilogona dorsata (Zetterstedt, 1845) dominated the diet later in July. When accounted for availability, muscid flies were selected positively among the most often provisioned food taxa. Our study demonstrates the ecological role of the snow bunting as a generalist arthropod predator and highlights DNA metabarcoding as a noninvasive technique for diet analyses with high taxonomical precision if sufficient DNA‐sequence libraries are available.

High Biodiversity and Low Dominance in Insect Species on Marsegu Island: A Case Study

This study aimed to assess the diversity and abundance of insect species in the coastal forest of Marsegu Island in the Western Seram Regency. The data was collected using an exploratory method, which involved direct observation and sampling in the field between October 2020 and the completion of the study. A total of 321 individuals representing 20 species from six orders (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Aranae) were identified, distributed across 20 families. The Diptera family Muscidae was most commonly found. The insect diversity index (H') was 4.371, indicating high species diversity within the region. The evenness index (E) was 0.931, suggesting that no single family dominated the population due to a balanced ecosystem. The dominance index was 0.155, implying low dominance and equitable abundance among species. The findings emphasize the importance of Marsegu Island's ecological balance, which may be threatened by chemical interventions. It is crucial to conserve these diverse and abundant insect communities, which play a significant role in maintaining ecosystem health and complexity.
 Highlights:
 
 
 
 
 The study revealed a high diversity of insect species (H' index = 4.371) on Marsegu Island, highlighting its rich ecological complexity.
 The even distribution of insect species (E index = 0.931) underlines the balanced ecosystem, free from chemical interventions.
 Despite the high diversity, no species dominates the ecosystem, as reflected by a low dominance index (0.155), emphasizing the importance of species equality in maintaining ecosystem health.
 
 Keywords: Insect Diversity, Marsegu Island, Ecosystem Balance, Species Abundance, Dominance Index.
 
 

Diversity and Abundance of Terrestrial Arthropod in Federal University Wukari and Kwararafa University Wukari’s Farms, Taraba State, Nigeria

The biodiversity of terrestrial arthropods in Federal University Wukari (FUW) and Kwararafa University Wukari (KUW)’s farm, Taraba State, Nigeria was studied from September to November, 2021 simultaneously using pitfall traps, sweep nets, and hand picking. A total of 1686 individuals of arthropods belonging to 31 species of 28 families and 17 orders were collected from FUW’s farm while 2487 individuals of terrestrial arthropods belonging to 29 species of 25 families and 16 orders from KUW. Orders Hymenoptera (1110 individuals), Coleoptera (394 individuals) and Orthoptera (72 individuals) dominated fauna in FUW while Orders Hymenoptera (1005), Dipteral (766), Orthoptera (197), and Dictyoptera (107) dominated in KUW’s farm. The most abundant species in FUW’s farm was Dorylus nigricans (Soldier ant) of the family Formicidae belonging to the order Hymenoptera while the most abundant species of KUW’s farm was Musca domestica (house fly) belonging to the Family Muscidae of the order Diptera. Shannon-Weiners diversity index (H1) showed a relative uniformity of data with the highest value of 2.483 in the month of September for KUW while the highest value of 2.007 was also seen in the month of September in FUW. The month with the highest number of recorded arthropod was September in FUW with a value of 5.106 while in KUW, it was seen in the month of October with a value of 4.456. The organic matter and nitrogen content in the soil gotten from FUW’s farm was 1.60% and 0.73% respectively while that of KUW’s farm was 0.78% and 0.90% respectively. The pH of the soil from both studies was alkalinic in nature with a value of 7.85 and 7.69 respectively. The terrestrial arthropod species inventory will increase our knowledge of the arthropod fauna in FUW and KUW’s farm.

Sarcosaprophagous Muscid Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Assemblages Along an Anthropized Gradient in the Humid Chaco Ecoregion, Chaco Province, Argentina.

Deforestation, agriculture, farmyard animal husbandry, and urbanization are known to be the main causes of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. The present study evaluated the role of anthropization in modulating Muscidae (Diptera) assemblages in the Humid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina, by testing the biotic homogenization and intermediate disturbance hypotheses. The study focused on natural, rural, and urban habitats in San Lorenzo Department, Chaco Province, where sarcosaprophagous muscid flies were surveyed. A total of 1,343 muscid flies were captured and identified to 7 genera and 24 species and morphospecies. We observed the effect of anthropization on the structuring of the assemblages and the presence of exotic species associated with human activity resulting from biotic homogenization. The highest abundance was recorded in the urban habitat, while the highest species richness and diversity (Shannon-Wienner and Hill's numbers) were found in the rural habitat, supporting the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Several species are classified as indicators of habitat as well as according to their index of synanthropy. Our results provide valuable information about the use of sarcosaprophagous muscids as indicators of disturbance of natural habitats and about possible health risks related to this family of Calyptratae flies previously unsurveyed in northeastern Argentina. This information could be used in the ecological, agronomy, sanitary, and forensic fields.

The first complete mitochondrial genome sequences for Ulidiidae and phylogenetic analysis of Diptera.

Tetanops sintenisi is a pest that mainly damages the root of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and it is first discovered in China in 2018. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of T. sintenisi was sequenced and compared with the mitogenomes of other Diptera species. The results revealed that the mitogenome of T. sintenisi is 15,763bp in length (GenBank accession number: MT795181) and is comprised of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a non-coding A + T-rich region (959bp). The highly conserved gene arrangement of the mitogenome of T. sintenisi was identical to that of other Diptera insects. Twelve PCGs contained the typical insect start codon ATN, while cox1 had CGA as the start codon. The genes cox2, nad4, and nad1 contained an incomplete termination codon T; nad3, nad5, and cob contained the complete termination codon TAG; and the remaining seven PCGs contained the termination codon TAA. All tRNA genes were predicted to fold into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure. Phylogenetic analysis of 48 species based on the mitogenome sequence revealed that T. sintenisi clustered with the Tephritidae family, indicating that T. sintenisi and Tephritidae have a close phylogenetic relationship. The phylogenetic relationship of T. sintenisi based on the mitogenome is consistent with the traditional morphological taxonomy, according to which T. sintenisi belongs to the family Otitidae, which is closely related to the family Muscidae.

Detection of genetic material of causative agents of animal viral diseases in blood-sucking dipterans from the Tyumen Region

The purpose of the research is to test blood-sucking dipterans collected in the Tyumen Region for genetic material of viruses that cause dangerous diseases in live-stock animals.Materials and methods. From May to October 2021, blood-sucking insects of the Diptera order whose species membership was established by tabular keys were collected on pastures and farms in ten Tyumen Region districts. In 60 samples formed from the captured insects according to the taxonomic affiliation and the period and place of collection, the presence of genetic material of the leukemia provirus and the dermatitis nodularis virus of cattle (bovine) and the African swine fever virus was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time.Results and discussion. Adult insects collected for the PCR analysis were blood-sucking flies (family Muscidae, genus Stomoxys), mosquitoes (family Culicidae, genus Aedes), midges (family Simuliidae, genera Byssodon and Schoenbaueria), horseflies (family Tabanidae, genera Hybomitra, Tabanus and Haematopota), and biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae, genus Culicoides). As a result of the PCR testing of the samples for the bovine leukemia provirus DNA, 1 out of 13 samples of Stomoxys spp. (7.7%) and 1 of 13 samples of Hybomitra spp. (7.7%) were positive. The bovine leukemia provirus DNA detected in blood-sucking insects indicates the presence of this pathogen in the insect collection area as well as their possible involvement in its spread. Further research is needed on the Stomoxys spp. and Hybomitra spp. vector competence in vivo, considering natural and climatic features of the Tyumen Region.

Correction to: Molecular identification and characterization of muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) of medico-veterinary importance from the Gangetic plains of Eastern India

Correction to: Molecular identification and characterization of muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) of medico-veterinary importance from the Gangetic plains of Eastern India