The blood sucking flies are important as intermediate hosts in the transfer of leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, Onchocerciasis and loa loa. What really do we need to know?

There are different classes in this category which are: Phlebotonus, Smulium, Chrysops and the Glossina flies.

Phleotonus (sandfly, moth fly and Owl midge)

There general morphology is as follows: Thorax is hump-backed; small sized (3mm), body and wings are quite hairy, their wings are devoid of scales, when wings are at rest, they are held in ‘v’ at 60 degrees angle, wings are veined in parallel lines, mouth parts are structured for piercing and biting and finally they are yellow-buff colored.

habits and distribution

Active nocturnal feeders, females alone are bloodsuckers cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical climates. Breeding places hard to find; under stones, in masonry cracks, poultry houses, hollow trees, breeding places are generally non aquatic.

Symptoms of bite

Rose-colored papule at site of bite, with 10-20mm zone of erythema stinging pain and itching Nausea, fever, and malaise in sensitive individuals.

Parasite and disease transmitted

Leishmania donovani (kala-azar), Leishmania tropica (oriental sore), L.braziliensis (American leishmaniasis), Phlebotomus fever (pappataci fever), Bartonella bacilliformis (Oroya fever, carrison’s disease).

simulium (Black fly, Buffalo gnat)

There general morphology is as follows: Small size (2-3mm); body is black, body is sturdy, legs are short, conspicuous compound eyes, short proboscis with blade-like cutting organs, wings are broad and usually clear, body appears longitudinally striped due to fine silver.

Habits and distribution

Cosmopolitan in distribution, breeds along shaded watercourses or woodland streams. Females bite in the day time.

Symptoms of bite

Bite is initially painless; wound bleeds profusely; pain, itching, and swelling develops later.

Parasite and disease transmitted

Onchocerca volvulus (onchocerciasis)

Chrysops (Deer fly Tabanid Mangrove fly

There general morphology is as follows: Highly colored yellow banded abdomen with dark stripes; mouth parts fitted for stabbing and cutting; wings clear with dark band along anterior margins; wings held spread away and horizontal to body.

Habits and distribution

Cosmopolitan, but more common in America. Female bite in early morning or late afternoon. Breeds in woodlands, marshy ponds or roadside ditches.

Symptoms of bite

Several thrusts of cutting mouth parts leave an unsightly puncture wound pain and swelling develop within a few hours. Loa loa pasteurella tularensis (tularemia).

Glossina (Tse tse fly)

Its morphology is as follows: Slightly larger than housefly, its brownish in color, resting wings overcrossed like scissor blades, slender proboscis held horizontal to ground.

Habits and distribution

Found in equatorial africa, G.Palpalis: hot dump areas along borders of rivers, lakes, and streams in West Africa Males and females bite in the day. Bite have minor significance. The parasite responsible is the Trypanosoma rhodesiense, Trypanosoma gambiense (African sleeping sickness).

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