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Gomontean B, Jumpato W, Wongpakam K, Tangkawanit U, Wannasingha W, Thanee I, Ya’cob Z, Pramual P. Diversity, Distribution and Host Blood Meal Analysis of Adult Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Thailand. INSECTS 2024; 15:74. [PMID: 38276823 PMCID: PMC10816295 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the factors associated with the species diversity and distribution of insect vectors is critically important for disease epidemiology. Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are significant hematophagous insects, as many species are pests and vectors that transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. Ecological factors associated with black fly species distribution have been extensively examined for the immature stages but are far less well explored for the adult stage. In this study, we collected a total of 7706 adult black fly specimens from various locations in forests, villages and animal shelters in Thailand. The integration of morphology and DNA barcoding revealed 16 black fly taxa, including Simulium yvonneae, a species first found in Vietnam, which is a new record for Thailand. The most abundant species was the Simulium asakoae complex (n = 5739, 74%), followed by S. chumpornense Takaoka and Kuvangkadilok (n = 1232, 16%). The Simulium asakoae complex was dominant in forest (3786 of 4456; 85%) and village (1774 of 2077; 85%) habitats, while S. chumpornense predominated (857 of 1175; 73%) in animal shelter areas. The Simulium asakoae complex and S. nigrogilvum Summers, which are significant pests and vectors in Thailand, occurred at a wide range of elevations, although the latter species was found mainly in high (>1000 m) mountain areas. Simulium chumpornense, S. nodosum Puri and the S. siamense Takaoka and Suzuki complex occurred predominately in low (<800 m)-elevation areas. Simulium furvum Takaoka and Srisuka; S. phurueaense Tangkawanit, Wongpakam and Pramual; and S. nr. phurueaense were only found in high (>1000 m) mountain areas. A host blood meal analysis revealed that the S. asakoae; S. chamlongi Takaoka and Suzuki; S. nigrogilvum; S. chumpornense; and the S. striatum species group were biting humans. This is the first report of the latter two species biting humans. We also found that S. chumpornense was biting turkeys, and S. chamlongi was biting chickens, which are new host blood sources recorded for these species. In addition, we found that the S. feuerborni Edwards complex was biting water buffalo, which is the first report on the biting habits of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvadol Gomontean
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; (B.G.); (W.J.); (W.W.); (I.T.)
| | - Waraporn Jumpato
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; (B.G.); (W.J.); (W.W.); (I.T.)
| | - Komgrit Wongpakam
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand;
| | - Ubon Tangkawanit
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand;
| | - Wannachai Wannasingha
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; (B.G.); (W.J.); (W.W.); (I.T.)
| | - Isara Thanee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; (B.G.); (W.J.); (W.W.); (I.T.)
| | - Zubaidah Ya’cob
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Pairot Pramual
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; (B.G.); (W.J.); (W.W.); (I.T.)
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