Distribution, Seasonality and Relative Abundance of Stomoxys Flies in Selected Districts of Central Ethiopia

Abstract

A longitudinal study design was employed to collect Stomoxys flies between January, 2010 and December, 2011 from three different agro ecological settings, Sebeta, Debre Zeit and Fentale Districts, Ethiopia using vavoua traps. The study on the trapped Stomoxys flies was carried out with the aims of identification of Stomoxys species and comparison of the distribution, seasonality and relative abundance of Stomoxys flies in different seasons of the year among the three Districts of central Ethiopia. Final identification of Stomoxys and species assignment was done using a stereomicroscope in acarology and helminthology laboratory of National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre, Sebeta, Ethiopia. The Stomoxys fly species that were identified and proved to exist in Ethiopia were S. calcitrans, S. niger, S. sitiens, S. taeniatus, S. inornatus and S. ochrosoma,. Among the species that were identified in our study, S. calcitrans was proved to be the most abundant fly in all agro-climate locations. Statistical analysis of the data proved the presence of statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the population density of Stomoxys among the study sites. Stomoxys flies were found to be more abundant during the long rainy season with pick density in the months of September and August. This study indicated that Stomoxys flies were known to be distributed at immense level in the study areas and could cause high production losses by annoyance of grazing and they could serve as mechanical vectors of diseases in livestock. Therefore, attention towards best control and prevention methods of Stomoxys flies is essential to mitigate the economic losses in the livestock industry.