The transmission ofOnchocerca tarsicola(Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) byOdagmia ornataandProsimulium nigripes(Diptera: Simuliidae)
ABSTRACTOnchocerca tarsicolais a subcutaneous filariid of the red deer living on the tendons of the radial-carpal and tibial-tarsal joints. Its micronfilariae concentrate mainly in the external ears. The extrinsic cycle of this parasite was investigated. In a hyperendemic area wild-caughtOdagmia ornatawere dissected, as well as samples which had fed on a tame deer and been kept in the laboratory after the infecting blood-meal. About 3 to 5% of the flies were infected with larval stages ofOnchocerca tarsicola. More than 40% ofOdagmia ornatainduced to feed on the ears of the deer became infected and about 30% of the flies which survived more than 18 days contained third-stage larvae. The larval development in the vector is described.Prosimulium nigripesappears to be a second natural vector ofOnchocerca tarsicola. Observations concerning the potential vectors ofO. Jlexuosa, O. tubingensis and Cutifilaria wenkiliving in red deer are discussed.