Distribution and abundance of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in recreation parks in Selangor State, Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT

A preliminary survey of larvae and pupae of black flies (Diptera Simuliidae) was conducted in three recreation parks [Templer Recreation Park (TRP), Congkak River Forest Reserve (CRFR) and Ampang Forest Reserve (AFR)] located in Selangor State, which is located 18 to 35 km from Kuala Lumpur city center, Malaysia. This study was initiated to determine the distribution and abundance of filarial vectors, Simulium spp. A total of 12 species of black flies belonging to three subgenera (Gomphostilbia, Simulium and Nevermannia) were collected. Simulium (Simulium) nobile was incriminated as the most dominant species in all recreation parks. This study is a first report on the distribution and abundance of black flies obtained from recreation parks in Malaysia.