Prevalence and Diversity of Hematophagous Flies in Farming Communities in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria And Their Potential Role in Trypanosoma Species Transmission to Cattle
NJE Vol. 42(1) : 187-199, 2026
DOI.10.36108/NJE/6202/24.0131
1Mamman, A.S 2Abdullahi, M.A., 3Maikenti, J.I., 4Yakubu, R.A., 4Peter, J.G., 5Darda, F.O., 1Ogbole, E., 1Abongaby, G., 1Sallau, F.N., 1Adogo, A.A., 4Alanza, A.J and 4Kamani, J
1Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Research, Vom Plateau State
2Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau State
3Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State
4National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State
5Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State
Abstract
Haematophagous flies remain significant in disease transmission, hindering agriculture and livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed the prevalence and diversity of these flies in agrarian communities in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Plateau State, Nigeria, and assessed their role in the mechanical transmission of Trypanosoma sp. to cattle. Between March to August 2023; Biconical and Nzi traps were used to trap hematophagous flies around farming families in twelve communities from the two study areas. Blood samples were concurrently collected from cattle from the herds in the community. Collected flies were sorted, identified morphologically and screened for the presence of Trypanosoma sp. DNA using PCR. The cattle blood samples were analyzed via Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT) and PCR. Overall, 776 flies were captured with higher abundance (491; 63.6%) in Jos North than (285; 36.4%) in Jos South. Stomoxys calcitrans dominated haematophagous flies (248; 31.7%), while Musca domestica was the most common non-haematophagous species (128; 14.4%). No Glossina spp. was caught. All the 250 cattle blood samples screened by microscopy and PCR were negative for trypanosome infection, but Trypanosoma evansi DNA was detected in one pool of S. calcitrans. The detection of T. evansi DNA in S. calcitrans underscores the potential role of this fly in the epidemiology of trypanosomes in cattle in this study area. There is the need for an elaborate study to determine the vector capacity of S. calcitrans to the various Trypanosoma spp. in Nigeria.
Keywords: Stomoxys calcitrans, PCR, Haematophagous flies; Plateau state, Trypanosomes