Nandan Jana, A. Mazumdar, Shuvra Kanti Sinha and Animesh Mandal
Haematophagous or blood-feeding muscid flies belonging to the family Muscidae (Diptera) are potential mechanical and biological vectors for several bacterial, viral, protozoan and helminths diseases associated with livestock, pets, wild animals, and humans. An entomological survey was conducted from October 2019 to June 2023 across various geographical regions of West Bengal, India, to explore species composition and habitat distribution of haematophagous muscid flies. Sampling techniques included sweep nets collected from host animals and visual surveys. Flies were morphologically identified into 16 species within the subfamilies Muscinae and Stomoxyinae, which are prevalent having significant veterinary and medical importance. The survey revealed a diverse community of haematophagous muscid flies with several prevalent species, including Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758); Stomoxys indicus Picard, 1908; Haematobia exigua de Meijere, 1906; Musca crassirostris Stein, 1903; Musca convexifrons Thomson, 1869; Musca ventrosa Weidemann, 1830; Musca conducens Walker, 1859; Musca inferior Stein, 1909. The findings addressed a foundation for future research, offering insights into the presence of blood-feeding muscid species in the area and their potential implications for livestock and public health.
Nandan Jana, A. Mazumdar, Shuvra Kanti Sinha and Animesh Mandal, 2024. Species Composition and Habitat Distribution of Haematophagous Muscid Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in West Bengal, India. Journal of Medical Arthropodology & Public Health 4(1): 35–52.