Activity of Simulium damnosum (Diptera: Simuliidae) Complex in Dadin Kowa Hydro-Electric Dam Site in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area. Gombe State, Nigeria
DOI:36108/NJE/6002/32.0160
UZOIGWE, N.R., DEDE, P.M., UFOMADU, G.O., NJOKU, C.I, MWANSAT, G.S. AND ONYEKA, J .O.A.
Nig. J. Entomol 23:26 – 29 2006
ABSTRACT: A 3 – day preliminary investigation on the breeding sites and biting activity of Simulium S. I within the Dadin – Kowa dam site on River Gongola was carried out in the month of Jul. 2000. From the single accessible breeding site identified, twelve larvae and six pupae were collected, was inaccessible. Eight out of the larvae and four of the pupae belonged to the S. Damnosum S I complex. Two hundred and sixteen adult female S. Damnosum S I were dissected out of the 520 caught at three catching points. Eighty-nine parous files were stained and dissected for determination of Onchocerea voluulus microfilaria (mf) infectections. Only 2% of the stained fillies were infected, but none was infective. These preliminary observations and other circumstantial evidence obtained orally seems to suggest that S. damnosum constitutes a meanace to the social and economic well being of the surrounding communities. Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Nigeria. Uzoigwe et al.: Simulium Damnosum; Activity in Dadin Kowa