Prevalence of Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus (Gan 1947) in donkeys (Equus asinus) in the Niamey region, Niger

Abstract

A study carried out on 234 donkey (Equus asinus) heads from January to December 1996 has revealed for the first time the presence of Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus (Gan 1947) in Niger. The annual infestation peak was chiefly in November with a maximum density of 8.9 larvae per infected animal. As no larva was detected between February and October, it is likely that the parasite adapts itself to drought by a prolonged pupation period in the ground. The adult parasites seemed to be active from September/October to November since the three larval stages were found in the heads during that period. They disappeared in December, at which point on only L3s were found.