Abstract
One hundred and five donkeys were examined over a 12-month period for the presence of Gasterophilus spp. larvae in their stomachs. G. intestinalis and G. nasalis were found, but there was a distinct seasonal variation in their abundance. The numbers of second-stage larvae (L2) peaked during the early winter and early summer, but they were absent or at low levels during the early spring and early autumn. This suggests that there are two periods of adult fly activity (late autumn and late spring) for both G. nasalis and G. intestinalis. Third-stage larvae (L3) were found throughout the year, but the lowest levels were seen in the late summer and autumn. The parasites also had an aggregated distribution, which may be due to host selection by the fly. The numbers of larvae did not vary significantly with age, which may be due to a lack of acquired protective immunity or to tolerance after repeated exposure.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Abo-Shehada, M.N., 1988. Prevalence of hydatidosis in donkeys from central Jordan. Veterinary Parasitology, 30, 125-130
Cogley, T.P. and Cogley, M.C., 2000. Field observations of the host-parasite relationship associated with the common horse blot fly, Gasterophilus intestinalis. Veterinary Parasitology, 88, 93-105
Croll, N.A. and Ghadirian, B., 1981. Wormy persons: contributions to the nature and patterns of overdispersion with Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus and Trichuris trichuria. Tropical and Geographical Medicine, 33, 241-148
Czosnek, T., 1988. Gasterophilus infestation, the cause of death in a mare (Gasterofiloza przyczna zejscia smiertelnego Klaczy). Medycyna Weterynaryjna, 44, 346
Dart, A.J., Hutchins, D.R. and Begg, A.P., 1987. Suppurative splenitis and peritonitis in a horse after gastric ulceration caused by larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis. Australian Veterinary Journal, 64, 155-158
Drudge, J.H., Lyons, E.T., Wyant, Z.N. and Tolliver, S.C., 1975. Occurrence of second and third instars of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis in stomachs of horses in Kentucky. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 36, 1585-1588
Edwards, G.T., 1982. The prevalence of Gasterophilus intestinalis in horses in Northern England and Wales. Veterinary Parasitology, 11, 215-222
Georgi, J.R. and Georgi, M.E., 1990. Parasitology for Veterinarians, 5th edn, (W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia)
Hatch, C., McCaughey, W.J. and O'Brien, J.J., 1976. The prevalence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and G. nasalis in horses in Ireland. Veterinary Record, 98, 274-276
Hilali, M., Derhalli, F.S. and Baraka, A., 1987. Incidence and monthly prevalence of Gasterophilus spp. larvae (Diptera: Gasterophildae) in the stomach of donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt. Veterinary Parasitology, 23, 297-305
Kaboret, Y., Pangui, L.J. and Vercruysse, J., 1986. Note sur la gasterophilose des anes au Burkina Faso. Revue d'Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, 39, 211-212
Kettle, P.R., 1974. The genus Gasterophilus in the horse in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 22, 43-45
Kilani, M., Soussi, K., Drochies, Ph. and Franc, M., 1986. Observations epidemiologiques sur les gasterophiles des equides de la region de Tunis (Tunisie). Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire, 137, 537-540
Krecek, R.C., Reinecke, R.K. and Horak, I.G. (1989). Internal parasites of horses on mixed grassveld and bushveld in Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Veterinary Parasitology, 34, 135-143
Lyons, E.T., Tolliver, S.C., Drudge, J.H., Swerczek, T.W. and Crowe, M.W., 1987. Common internal parasites found in the stomach, large intestine and cranial mesenteric artery of thoroughbreds in Kentucky at necropsy (1985–1986). American Journal of Veterinary Research, 48, 268-273
Malan, F.S., Reinecke, R.K. and Scialdo, R.C., 1981. Recovery of helminths postmortem from equines. II. Helminths and larvae of Gasterophilus in the gastro-intestinal tract and oestrids from the sinuses. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 48, 145-147
Mfitilodze, M.W. and Hutchinson, G.W., 1989. Prevalence and intensity of non-strongyle intestinal parasites of horses in northern Queensland. Australian Veterinary Journal, 66, 23-26
Pandey, V.S. and Eysker, M., 1988. Parasites of the stomach in donkeys from the high veldt of Zimbabwe. Veterinary Quarterly, 10, 246-248
Pandey, V.S., Ouhelli, H. and Elkhalfane, A., 1980. Observations on the epizootiology of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis in horses in Morocco. Veterinary Parasitology, 7, 347-356
Pandey, V.S., Ouhelli, H. and Verhulst, A., 1992. Epidemiological observations on Gasterophilus intestinalis and G. nasalis in donkeys from Morocco. Veterinary Parasitology, 41, 285-292
Panitz, E., 1978. Occurrence of second and third instars of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis in horses in Mid-Atlantic United States. Veterinary Parasitology, 4, 161-166
Price, R.E. and Stromberg, P.C., 1987. Seasonal occurrence and distribution of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis in the stomachs of equids in Texas. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 48, 1225-1232
Rooney, J.R., 1964. Gastric ulceration in foal. Pathologia Veterinaria, 1, 497-503
Soulsby, E.J.L., 1982. Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals, 6th edn, (Baillière Tindal, London)
Waddell, A.H., 1972. The pathogenicity of Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae in the stomach of the horses. Australian Veterinary Journal, 48, 332-335
Zumpt, T.F., 1965. Myiasis in Man and Animals in the Old World, (Butterworths, London)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mukbel, R., Torgerson, P. & Abo-Shehada, M. Seasonal Variations in the Abundance of Gasterophilus spp. Larvae in Donkeys in Northern Jordan. Tropical Animal Health and Production 33, 501–509 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012732613902
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012732613902