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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353849
Research Project: Ecology and Control of Insect Vectors

Location: Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research

Title: Diversity and abundance of non-culicid biting flies (Diptera) in a zoo environment

Author
item Swanson, Dustin
item KAPALDO, NATHANIAL - Animal Care Center Of New York
item Maki, Elin
item CARPENTER, JAMES - Kansas State University
item Cohnstaedt, Lee

Submitted to: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2017
Publication Date: 12/1/2018
Citation: Swanson, D.A., Kapaldo, N., Maki, E.C., Carpenter, J., Cohnstaedt, L.W. 2018. Diversity and abundance of non-culicid biting flies (Diptera) in a zoo environment. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 34:4.

Interpretive Summary: The diversity of non-mosquito biting flies was surveyed in Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, Kansas by carbon-dioxide baited traps. A total of 8,399 non-mosquito biting-fly females representing 32 species and five families was collected. Twenty-one biting midge and seven black fly species were collected, including new state records for three biting midges and one black fly. The species richness of biting midges and black flies within the zoo represent 72.4% and 41.2% of these fly species known to occur in Kansas, respectively. The type of trap used significantly affected the collections of five species analyzed and trapping period affected three species, indicating the importance of these factors for monitoring these flies. The diversity and abundance of non-mosquito biting flies in the zoo as related to animal health and wellness is discussed.

Technical Abstract: The diversity of non-culicid biting flies was surveyed in Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, Kansas by carbon-dioxide baited traps. A total of 8,399 non-culicid biting-fly females representing 32 species and five families was collected. Twenty-one biting midge (Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) and seven black fly (Simuliidae) species were collected, including new state records of three Culicoides and one simuliid. The species richness of Culicoides and Simuliidae within the zoo represent 72.4% and 41.2% of the fauna known to occur in Kansas, respectively. Trap type significantly influenced (p<0.05) collections of five species analyzed and trapping period affected three species. The diversity and abundance of non-culicid biting flies in the zoo as related to animal health and wellness is discussed.