The Infestation Study of Oestrus ovis L. 1761 in Sheep of Al-Amara Region, Maysan Province, South of Iraq

Abstract

362 heads of sheep obtained (in multiple visits) from the central slaughterhouse and the sheep abattoir at Al-Amara region (Maysan, South of Iraq) between November 2016 and March 2017 were examined for the detection of Oestrus ovis larvae for the first time in this region. Sheep heads were examined by dissecting them longitudinally, the sheep were of local breed. Of the 362 heads, 296 (81.8%) were infested with O. ovis larvae. O. ovis larvae were observed recorded in both sexes and all age groups in different temperature ranges (low, medium and high) during the research period. A total of 985 larvae were collected. The overall infestation intensity (IN) was 5.443% L/H with a range of 2-8 larvae per infested head of sheep (L/Hs). The infestation of larval in the infested sheep was 54.14% in low- temperature weather, while 100% in relatively high- temperature weather. March showed the highest infection intensity, while January showed the lowest infection intensity. The novelty of the current study is to conduct the research in an area that totally different from what has been studied before in Iraq in regards to the geographical location and the climate conditions.