TABANIDS (DIPTERA: TABANIDAE) FAUNA COMPOSITION IN DIFFERENT SITES AND BIOTOPES OF FAR-NORTH, CAMEROON

Background: Mechanical vectors were a major constraint to livestock activities in Camp sites of the Ndiam shinwa rangeland in Maga, Far north region of Cameroon from March to April 2015.

Aim: This work seeks to identify, determine the abundance (with respect to site, period of collection and type of biotope) as well as the observed host preference of tabanid flies.

Methodology: Tabanids were sampled with Nzi traps (N=20), with trap rotation (after 1-2 days) in each site varied from 7-12 traps according to site surface area. Collection was carried out in two sessions, from 6 am-12 noon and 1-6 pm. Flies were identified using standard keys. A total of 11,091 tabanid flies were captured throughout the survey period.

Results: Tabanids were identified and presented in order of decreasing numbers in percentages: Atylotus agrestis 10,215 (92.10%), Tabanus taeniola 857 (7.73%), Tabanus par 18 (0.16%) and Ancala sp. 1 (0.01%). The overall mean apparent density of tabanids was 21.48 fly/trap/day and with respect to site in decreasing order as such: Diddel tanne (39.69 f/t/d), Kanaide (29.69 f/t/d), Doulam (15.60 f/t/d), Yanga (12.72 f/t/d) and Kalang (9.68 f/t/d) with a significant (P<0.05) difference. Tabanids were observed to be more active in the evening collection periods than morning with a significant (F=24.18, P<0.05) difference. Tabanids were significantly (F=3.53, P<0.05) more abundant in marshy grassland as compared to woodland.

Conclusion: Tabanids were observed to be present around low and average cattle and small ruminants, but abundant in high domestic bird and donkey populated areas. Therefore, information on tabanids species composition in different sites and biotopes and observed host preference will be a useful decision-making tool in the planning for their control and bovine trypanosomosis eradication operations in Maga in the Far north region of Cameroon.