Xth EMOP, August 2008

Biodiversity and extinction versus control of Oestrid causing myiasis in Mediterranean area

¹ Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
² Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Canada

^* Correspondence : D. Otranto. Tel./Fax: +39 080 5443839 – E-mail: d.otranto@veterinaria.uniba.it

Abstract

Oestrid larvae causing myiasis display a wide degree of biodiversity, in terms of species of domestic and wild mammals infected and anatomical sites. The presence in some regions of southern Europe of a high number of different species of oestrids in domestic animals stimulated interest in exploring the basis of such degree of parasitic biodiversity in the Mediterranean region. However, broad spectrum anti-parasitic treatments (e.g. macrocyclic lactones) constitute a critical factor for the selection of species of Oestrids and for the maintenance of their biodiversity in a given area. The dynamic equilibrium that oestrid larvae have established with the host and the environment as well as the span of biodiversity they represent may be considered to be at odds with maintaining animal welfare and reducing animal production losses.