Mosquito Magnet® traps as a potential means of monitoring blackflies of medical and veterinary importance

Mosquito Magnet (R) traps, deployed in widespread parts of England as part of nationwide mosquito surveillance projects, also caught blackflies. As many as 1242 blackflies were caught in a trapping session lasting 4 days. Principal among the species caught were Simulium equinum, Simulium lineatum and Simulium ornatum s.l. As S. ornatum s.l. is a vector that transmits Onchocerca linealis to cattle and S. equinum is responsible for dermatitis ('sweet itch') in cattle and horses, it is suggested that Mosquito Magnet (R) traps could be used to monitor and partially control these pests, as well as nuisance anthropophilic blackflies such as Simulium posticatum that can cause simuliidosis in southern England.

Automated summary

Mosquito Magnet traps deployed in England for nationwide mosquito surveillance projects also captured a significant number of blackflies, including species that can transmit diseases to cattle and horses. This suggests that these traps could be used to monitor and control these pests, as well as nuisance blackflies that can cause diseases in humans and animals in southern England.