Journal article
Host preferences of tabanid flies based on identification of blood meals by ELISA
MO Muzari, GW Burgess, LF Skerratt, RE Jones, TL Duran
Veterinary Parasitology | ELSEVIER | Published : 2010
Abstract
Tabanid flies in Australia are potential vectors of the parasite Trypanosoma evansi which causes the animal disease surra. It is endemic to most of south-east Asia and could enter Australia, but evaluation of the potential impact of a surra incursion requires identification of the major hosts of Australian tabanids. This study investigated the natural pattern of feeding and host preference by tabanid flies of Townsville, north Queensland by identification of ingested blood in trap-caught tabanids using ELISA. The assays were developed for identification of horse, cow, macropod and pig blood meals. Macropods were the most frequent food source for each of six major tabanid species in the area...
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Oonoonba Veterinary Research Institute, Heleen Downs Estates, Jaymie and Alex Raines, Wayne Krowe's family and Lee Berger for availing their properties for tabanid trapping as well as taking great care of the traps during the study. We also thank Dr Jan Smith and Dr Andrew van den Hurk for valuable advice on ELISA techniques and Dr Stephen Garland for helpful comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. Research funding received from the Australian Biosecurity CRC and James Cook University was greatly appreciated.