Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. II. Oestrus ovis in goats

Abstract

During a period of 13 months, 130 goats' heads, obtained from the Johannesburg Municipal Abattoir, were examined for infestation with Oestrus ovis. Infestation was present in 73,8% of the heads and the mean burden comprised 4,4 larvae. Such a small number of larvae were present that no clear seasonal incidence pattern could be determined. Pupal periods could be as long as approximately 60 days for flies hatching during October and May and as short as approximately 24 days for those hatching from December-February. The findings are compared with those obtained from surveys in sheep in South Africa.