Prevalence of nasal bots (Diptera: oestridae) in some zambian hartebeest.
Nine Lichtenstein's hartebeest ( Alcelaphus lichtensteini ) were sampled for nasal bots ( Oestrinae ) in a woodland area of central western Zambia. Larvae of the genera Gedoelstia , Oestrus and Kirkioestrus were found in mixed infestations in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. A maximum count of 252 larvae was recorded from one head but no obvious pathogenicity was detectable in this or any other hartebeest. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the host specificity of the nasal bots and to gedoelstial myiasis of domestic livestock in the area where they interact with infected hartebeest.
Biology Department, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 2379, Lusaka, Zambia.
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Howard