Oestrus ovis
Oestrus ovis | |
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The larva and fly of the sheep-nostril-fly (Oestrus ovis) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Oestridae |
Genus: | |
Species: | O. ovis
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Binomial name | |
Oestrus ovis |
Oestrus ovis, the sheep bot fly, is a widespread species of
Description
The adult fly is a bee-sized insect about 10 to 12 millimetres (3/8–½ inches) long, slightly hairy with a banded, dark grey body and dull yellow head and legs.
Life cycle
Sheep bot flies commence life as eggs within the female which are fertilised and hatch to
Effects on livestock
Sheep are the principal hosts. The presence of the fly with its distinctive buzzing can alert mature animals who may attempt to run away, walk with their noses near the ground[3] or have been recorded forming a circle with their noses in the middle and near the ground.[3][4] If the fly successfully places eggs in the nostril of sheep the animal may feel the larvae after a few days and attempt to remove them by tapping their muzzles on the ground. They will also snort and stamp their front feet in annoyance.[3] Once the larvae have infested the nasal passage and sinuses, usually up to 15 larvae but can be up to 80, they cause irritation to the mucosa, which causes mucous discharge, swelling of the internal membranes of the nose, possibly impairment of breathing but largely discomfort and distraction to the sheep who may reduce or stop grazing and subsequently lose weight and condition.[4] This can in some cases lead to malnutrition and death [3] Sometimes mature larvae are unable to escape from the nasal sinus and die. This may then lead to a septic sinusitis affecting the animal's condition.[4] and the possibility of death from general septicaemia.[3]
Control of infestation
In developed countries sheep and other domestic animals can be given preventative medication in the form of drenches. These have a variable effect because reinfestation from neighbouring territory is common. In isolated flocks of animals control can be more effective.[4]
Human infestation
There have been widespread reports of human infestation going back over decades, and probably centuries.[5] Most commonly they are shepherds living in close proximity to the sheep[6] but there are records of hapless visitors being subject to infestation and carrying the parasites home to their native country.[7] The effects can usually be treated easily with medical attention or medication.
See also
References
- PMID 22122385
- ^ Lloyd, John E; Brewer, Michael J (Apr 1992), Sheep Bot Fly Biology and Management (PDF), Dept. of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, Wyoming Univ., retrieved 2012-04-01
- ^ JSTOR 3276337
- ^ a b c d e Sheep Nose Bot, New Jersey, USA: Merk Sharp and Dohme Corp., 2011, retrieved 2012-04-01
- PMID 9802104
- ^ Masoodi, Mohsen; Hosseini, Keramatalah (2004), External Ophthalmomyiasis Caused by Sheep Botfly (oestrus ovis) Larva: A Report of 8 Cases. (PDF), Archives of Iranian Medicine Vol.7 No.2, pp. 136–139, retrieved 2012-04-01
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: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - PMID 15300116