First record of Pharyngomyia picta (Diptera: Oestridae) parasitizing Cervus elaphus in Sierra Nevada National Park.

ABSTRACT

The necropsy made to two adult individuals of red deer shot in Sierra Nevada National Park revealed infestation by second- and third-instar larvae of the oestrid Pharyngomyia picta (Meigen 1824). The animals were shot in Dehesa de las Hoyas, about 2000 m above sea level. This is the first record of this parasite in Sierra Nevada National Park. Furthermore, the occurrence of adult P. picta at this altitude could indicate significant changes of the climatic conditions, now matching better the environmental requirements of this bot fly. Its monitoring may, therefore, be of great help for detecting global change signs.