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Year 2018 - Volume 38, Number 7
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Seasonality of horn flies (Haematobia irritans) in the Brazilian semi-arid, 38(7):1307-1312
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ABSTRACT.- Medeiros M.A., Barros A.T.M., Medeiros R.M.T., Vieira V.D., Azevedo S.S. & Riet‑Correa F. 2018. [Seasonality of horn flies (Haematobia irritans) in the Brazilian semi-arid.] Sazonalidade da mosca-dos-chifres, Haematobia irritans, no semiárido paraibano. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 38(7):1307-1312. Hospital Veterinário, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Campus de Patos, PB 58708-110, Brazil. E-mail: frcorrea@inia.org.uy
The horn fly (Haematobia irritans) is a major livestock pest in Brazil. Despite of the regional needs, no studies assessing its importance and subsidizing its control are available for the Brazilian northeast. The present study aimed to know the population dynamics and determine the infestation levels of H. irritans on cattle in the semiarid region of the Paraíba state, in order to support control programs. The study was conducted at the Nucleus of Research for the Semiarid Tropics, Federal University of Campina Grande, municipality of Patos, Paraíba. During 42 months, from April 2011 to September 2014, horn fly counts were performed every 14 days in a Sindi herd (26 cows and a bull). The main climatic parameters were recorded daily. Horn fly infestations occurred throughout the study, with individual infestations above 100 flies at all counts, monthly mean infestations of up to 183 flies/cow and maximum individual infestations of 500 flies on cows and 1,800 flies on the bull. Influenced by microclimatic influence of large reservoirs, the horn fly population showed a bimodal behavior, with population peaks in October/November and March. No significant correlation between climatic factors and fly counts was found. In order to avoid infestation peaks and to reduce subsequent economic losses, control measures are recommended.
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