Oestrus ovis myiasis in Libyan sheep and goats.

The heads of 1,489 sheep and 320 goats were examined for larvae of Oestrus ovis at 17 abattoirs in northern Libya in July to November 1988. The prevalence of O. ovis in sheep was 22.6% and in goats it was 18.4 per cent. Up to 14 and 11 larvae were collected from individual sheep and goats respectively. All larvae were recovered from the nasal passages and frontal sinuses, but only second and third instars were seen.

Lice of farm animals in Libya.

This first report on the lice of farm animals in Libya lists a total of fifteen species, as follows: Haematopinus quadripertusus and Linognathus vituli from cattle, Bovicola ovis, Linognathus pedalis, L. africanus and L. ovillus from sheep, L. stenopsis, L. africanus and Bovicola caprae from goats. Poultry harboured Lipeurus caponis, L. heterographus, Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Goniocotes gallinae, Goniodes gigas and G. dissimilis.

A survey of mites on farm animals in Libya.

In 1985-1988, 2287 farm animals (cattle, camels, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, dogs and rabbits) suspected of carrying parasitic mites were examined at 58 farms throughout Libya. Mites were identified on 1303 of these animals. The commonest parasites on cattle were Psoroptes and Chorioptes, on camels and sheep were Sarcoptes and Psoroptes, and on goats were Sarcoptes and Demodex. Infested horses carrier Psoroptes or Chorioptes, and one donkey carried Sarcoptes. Otodectes was common on dogs, but Sarcoptes was rare and no Demodex were seen. Rabbits often had psoroptic ear mange or sarcoptic body mange. Dermanyssus gallinae and Ornithonyssus bursa were seen on chickens, but no mites were found on pigeons, ducks or turkeys.

A survey of ticks on farm animals in Libya.

Thirteen species of ixodid ticks and two species of argasid ticks were collected during a three-year survey of 58 farms in Libya. These included Boophilus annulatus, B. microplus, B. decoloratus, seven species of Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. evertsi, Rh. bursa, Argas persicus and Ornithodoros foleyi. This is the first recording of B. microplus, B. decoloratus and Rh. bursa in Libya. Of 20,391 animals examined by random sampling, 2020 (9.6%) had ticks; particularly common were Hy. dromedarii on camels, Hy. impeltatum on sheep and Hy. excavatum on cattle. The tick found most frequently overall was Hy. dromedarii.

The screwworm fly in Libya: a threat to the livestock industry of the Old World.

The screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), is the most serious insect pest of cattle in the New World. It has recently been recorded in Libya, where it appears to have become established. This article documents these recent finds, and provides background information on the recognition of the fly, its biology, distribution and importance.