First report of Bartonella sp. isolated from Hippobosca equina L. (Hippoboscidae: Hippobosca) in Lublin Province, south-eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hippobosca equina (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), is a widespread blood-feeding ectoparasite associated with the forest ecosystem. The insect is characterized by a wide host range and low host specificity, which increases the risk of feeding on animals that constitute a reservoir of transmissible pathogens, including Bartonella spp. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hippobosca equina adults were collected from humans and companion animals within a continental mesotrophic oak-pine mixed forest in eastern Poland. DNA was isolated by the ammonia method, and isolates obtained from single individuals were tested by PCR method for the presence of 5 vector-borne pathogens. In case of the positive results, the amplicons were sequenced and examined by a BLAST search. RESULTS: The PCR analysis of DNA isolates obtained from 100 H. equina specimens revealed the presence of the RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) of the genus Bartonella, in 1% of the studied insects, i.e. one H. equina female. The rpoB gene haplotype of Bartonella sp. reported in this study, was identical to a Bartonella sp. sequence obtained from deer keds in Lithuania, and very closely related to strains with zoonotic potential. None of the H. equina specimens studied was positive for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., and Coxiella burnetii. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates the need to screen the occurrence of Bartonella spp., both in potential vectors and reservoirs of this pathogen in various habitats.

Contributions to our knowledge on avian louse flies (Hippoboscidae: Ornithomyinae) with the first European record of the African species Ornithoctona laticornis.

BACKGROUND: Louse flies (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) are important blood-sucking parasites of birds and mammals with a worldwide distribution. The aim of our study was to collect louse flies from birds across multiple sites in Hungary and evaluate the effects of avian traits on louse fly-host relationships. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2022, 237 louse flies were collected from birds at multiple locations in Hungary. The louse flies were identified to species level by morphological and molecular methods. Louse fly species and their seasonal dynamics were analyzed. RESULTS: Six louse fly species were identified: Ornithomya avicularia, Ornithomya fringillina, Ornithomya biloba, Ornithomya chloropus, Ornithoica turdi and Ornithoctona laticornis. Results of statistical analyses indicated that habitat, migration habits and the feeding places of birds have significant effects on their possible role as hosts of O. avicularia, O. fringillina and O. turdi. Analysis of the temporal distribution of avian louse flies showed different seasonal patterns according to species. Phylogenetic analyses highlighted that O. turdi clustered separately from other members of the subfamily Ornithomyinae which thus did not form a monophyletic group. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents one of the longest continuous collections of ornithophilic louse fly species in Europe so far. Avian traits were shown to influence louse-fly infestation. To our best knowledge, this is the first report on O. laticornis in Europe. The ability of this African louse fly species to survive in Europe, as demonstrated in the present study, may be an indication of its future establishment. Our findings, in accordance with previous reports, also indicated that the subfamily Ornithomyinae should be taxonomically revised.

First report of the morphological and molecular characterization of Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to study the morphological and molecular characterization of (Pseudolynchia canariensis; Macquart, 1839)in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia. Ninety-four pigeons were obtained from traditional pigeon breeding farms of the Al-Baha region, and fly samples were collected. Taxonomic keys were used to define the morphology of flies, whereas molecular characteristics were identified based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. The rate of Pseudolynchia canariensis infestation in the examined pigeons was 44.5%. The genetic sequences of the fly samples were deposited in GenBank (accession number OQ073507). The match rate between the fly samples from the present study and those previously recorded in GenBank (accession numbers: EF531220, OM073981, and MW853922) displayed 99.66%. This study demonstrates that Pseudolynchia canariensis is common in the Al-Baha region; thus, further studies are required to detect other species from the same genus and their geographical distribution.

Ornithomya biloba, Pseudolynchia garzettae and Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae): three new United Kingdom colonists and potential disease vectors.

In the northern hemisphere, many species' ranges are shifting northwards with climate change. Here I present evidence, from the first large-scale citizen science study of the Hippoboscidae in the United Kingdom, for the colonisation of the United Kingdom by three species of Diptera in the family Hippoboscidae, which are obligate ectoparasites of birds. The Swallow Louse Fly, Ornithomya biloba; the Nightjar Louse Fly, Pseudolynchia garzettae and the Pigeon Louse Fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis were previously considered to be vagrants from more southerly latitudes but the presence of a pair taken possibly in the act of copulation, gravid females and the increase in numbers of the various species provides good evidence of local breeding activity. I discuss the potential for further northwards range shift and whether the presence of three new species of parasite may have implications for the spread of avian disease within the region. I also include a concise key to the genus Pseudolynchia and images of P. canariensis, P. garzettae and O. biloba to aid further identification of these species in the region.

The genome sequence of the Swift Louse Fly Crataerina pallida (Latreille, 1812).

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Crataerina pallida (the Swift Louse Fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Hippoboscidae). The genome sequence is 177.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 21.57 kilobases in length.

Hippobosca equina L. (Hippoboscidae: Hippobosca)-An Old Enemy as an Emerging Threat in the Palearctic Zone.

Arthropods of the Hippoboscoidea superfamily are parasites of animals from various systematic groups. Mass appearances of these insects and their attacks on people are increasingly being recorded. Their parasitism has a negative effect on host well-being, as it causes feelings of agitation and irritation as well as skin itching and damage. It may result in weight loss and development of diseases in the long-term perspective. Parasites can be a potential epidemiological threat for their hosts as well. One of such parasites is a cosmopolitan species of the Hippoboscinae subfamily-Hippobosca equina. Studies have confirmed the presence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis equi, Bartonella spp., and Anaplasma spp. in the organism of these insects. The frequency of anaphylactic reactions caused by H. equina attacks has been increasing. The aim of the present paper was to summarize the up-to-date knowledge of Hippobosca equina Linnaeus, 1758 due to its significance in medical and veterinary sciences as a potential vector of pathogens. Given the increasing expansion of ectoparasites, mainly related to climate change, ensuring animal welfare and human health is a priority.

Low host specificity of Hippobosca equina infestation in different domestic animals and pigeon.

This study aimed to highlight the low host specificity of Hippobosca equina (H. equina) that poses a danger in diseases transmission between different animal species as well as, identification of the collected flies using light microscope and molecular characterization of H. equina in Egypt. Two hundred and forty flies were collected weekly from different animal species from El-Faiyum, Al Qalyubia and Kafr El-Sheikh Governorates, Egypt at the period from May to September of 2020. Insects were phenotypically and genetically identified then classified into 170 (70.8%) males and 70 (29.2%) females. The highest prevalence of H. equina was noticed from mid-June to the end of August. The sequencing of COI gene of five H. equina fly collected from different hosts as (horse, pigeon, cattle, buffalo, and donkey) were submitted to the GenBank under the accession numbers of MZ452239, MZ452240, MZ461943, MZ461944, and MZ461945, respectively. For insect infestation control, fipronil and deltamethrin is monthly sprayed for animals, birds and their circumference give a best result in our control study in the field. Deltamethrin showed a success in the elimination process and control measures of external parasites of pigeon.

Insect ectoparasites from wild passerine birds in the Azores Islands.

A total of 266 wild passerine birds (Passeriformes) representing eight species and nine subspecies from three islands of the Archipelago of the Azores were examined for ectoparasites. Two species of louse-flies Ornithomya avicularia and Ornithoica turdi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), three species of fleas Ceratophyllus gallinae, Ceratophyllus sp. and Dasypsyllus gallinulae (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and 11 species of chewing lice belonging to the genera Menacanthus, Myrsidea (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), Ricinus (Phthiraptera: Ricinidae), Brueelia, Guimaraesiella, Philopterus, Sturnidoecus and Turdinirmus (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) were recorded. At least one species of ectoparasite was found on 114 birds of six species. Guimaraesiella tovornikae and Myrsidea sylviae from Sylvia atricapilla are redescribed. Records of Ceratophyllus sp. and Sturnidoecus sp. from Turdus merula represent new parasite-host associations. Phoresy of Guimaraesiella amsel on Ornithoica turdi was also found. Parasitological parameters such as prevalence, intensity and abundance and geographic distribution of recorded ectoparasites are provided.

TITLE: Insectes ectoparasites de passereaux sauvages aux Açores. ABSTRACT: Un total de 266 passereaux sauvages (Passeriformes) de trois îles de l'archipel des Açores, représentant huit espèces et neuf sous-espèces, ont été examinés pour la recherche d'ectoparasites. Deux espèces de mouches-araignées, Ornithomya avicularia et Ornithoica turdi (Diptera : Hippoboscidae), trois espèces de puces, Ceratophyllus gallinae, Ceratophyllus sp. et Dasypsyllus gallinulae (Siphonaptera : Ceratophyllidae), et onze espèces de mallophages appartenant aux genres Menacanthus, Myrsidea (Phthiraptera : Menoponidae), Ricinus (Phthiraptera : Ricinidae), Brueelia, Guimaraesiella, Philopterus, Sturnidoecus et Turdinirmus (Phthiraptera : Philopteridae) sont signalées. Au moins une espèce d'ectoparasite a été trouvée sur 114 oiseaux de six espèces. Guimaraesiella tovornikae et Myrsidea sylviae, de Sylvia atricapilla, sont redécrits. Les signalements de Ceratophyllus sp. et Sturnidoecus sp. chez Turdus merula représentent de nouvelles associations parasites-hôtes. La phorésie de Guimaraesiella amsel sur Ornithoica turdi a également été trouvée. Les paramètres parasitologiques des ectoparasites signalés, tels que la prévalence, l'intensité, l'abondance et la répartition géographique, sont fournis.

Defining host range: host-parasite compatibility during the non-infective phase of the parasite also matters.

Host range and parasite specificity determine key epidemiological, ecological and evolutionary aspects of host-parasite interactions. Parasites are usually classified as generalists or specialists based on the number of hosts they feed on. Yet, the requirements of the various stages of a parasite may influence the suitability of a given host species. Here, we investigate the generalist nature of three common ectoparasites (the dipteran Carnus hemapterus and two species of louse flies, Pseudolynchia canariensis and Ornithophila metallica), exploiting two avian host species (the European roller Coracias garrulus and the Rock pigeon Columba livia), that frequently occupy the same breeding sites. We explore the prevalence and abundance of both the infective and the puparial stages of the ectoparasites in both host species. Strong preferences of Pseudolynchia canariensis for pigeons and of Carnus hemapterus for rollers were found. Moderate prevalence of Ornithophila metallica was found in rollers but this louse fly avoided pigeons. In some cases, the infestation patterns observed for imagoes and puparia were consistent whereas in other cases host preferences inferred from imagoes differed from the ones suggested by puparia. We propose that the adult stages of these ectoparasites are more specialist than reported and that the requirements of non-infective stages can restrict the effective host range of some parasites.

Ectoparasitism in Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs ( Varecia variegata) in Southeastern Madagascar.

We documented ectoparasites found on wild black-and-white ruffed lemurs ( Varecia variegata) in the southeastern rain forests of Madagascar and describe trends in parasitism. In this study, 235 mesostigmatid mites (1 male, 87 females, 147 nymphs) identified as Liponyssella sp., in the acarine family Macronyssidae, were collected during 87% (34/39) of lemur examinations (mean number/host=7.9). The only other ectoparasite collected was the louse fly ( Allobosca crassipes; 3 males, 8 females) in the dipteran family Hippoboscidae, which was collected during 26% (10/39) of lemur examinations (mean number/host=1.1). The lemur most heavily parasitized by mites was an adult female with 29 adult females and 17 nymphs, all collected from the face.

Origin, acquisition and diversification of heritable bacterial endosymbionts in louse flies and bat flies.

The γ-proteobacterium Arsenophonus and its close relatives (Arsenophonus and like organisms, ALOs) are emerging as a novel clade of endosymbionts, which are exceptionally widespread in insects. The biology of ALOs is, however, in most cases entirely unknown, and it is unclear how these endosymbionts spread across insect populations. Here, we investigate this aspect through the examination of the presence, the diversity and the evolutionary history of ALOs in 25 related species of blood-feeding flies: tsetse flies (Glossinidae), louse flies (Hippoboscidae) and bat flies (Nycteribiidae and Streblidae). While these endosymbionts were not found in tsetse flies, we identify louse flies and bat flies as harbouring the highest diversity of ALO strains reported to date, including a novel ALO clade, as well as Arsenophonus and the recently described Candidatus Aschnera chinzeii. We further show that the origin of ALO endosymbioses extends deep into the evolutionary past of louse flies and bat flies, and that it probably played a major role in the ecological specialization of their hosts. The evolutionary history of ALOs is notably complex and was shaped by both vertical transmission and horizontal transfers with frequent host turnover and apparent symbiont replacement in host lineages. In particular, ALOs have evolved repeatedly and independently close relationships with diverse groups of louse flies and bat flies, as well as phylogenetically more distant insect families, suggesting that ALO endosymbioses are exceptionally dynamic systems.