Dermacentor reticulatus - a tick on its way from glacial refugia to a panmictic Eurasian population

The ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) shows a recently expanding geographic distribution. Knowledge on its intraspecific variability, population structure, rate of genetic diversity and divergence, including its evolution and geographic distribution, is crucial to understand its dispersal capacity. All such information would help to evaluate the potential risk of future spread of associated pathogens of medical and veterinary concern. A set of 865 D. reticulatus ticks was collected from 65 localities across 21 countries, from Portugal in the west to Kazakhstan and southern Russia in the east. Cluster analyses of 16 microsatellite loci were combined with nuclear (ITS2, 18S) and mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI) sequence data to uncover the ticks' population structures and geographical patterns. Approximate Bayesian computation was applied to model evolutionary relationships among the found clusters. Low variability and a weak phylogenetic signal showing an east-west cline were detected both for mitochondrial and nuclear sequence markers. Microsatellite analyses revealed three genetic clusters, where the eastern and western cluster gradient was supplemented by a third, northern cluster. Alternative scenarios could explain such a tripartite population structure by independent formation of clusters in separate refugia, limited gene flow connected with isolation by distance causing a "bipolar pattern", and the northern cluster deriving from admixture between the eastern and western populations. The best supported demographic scenario of this tick species indicates that the northern cluster derived from admixture between the eastern and western populations 441 (median) to 224 (mode) generations ago, suggesting a possible link with the end of the Little Ice Age in Europe.

Diversity of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae, Sarcophaginae) of pond habitats in rural areas in the Croatian part of Baranja

The diversity of grey flesh flies (Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaginae) from the Croatian part of Baranja was studied during 2019 to 2021, resulting in 37 species, of which the following are new for the area: Raviniapernix (Harris, 1780); Sarcophaga (Het.) depressifrons Zetterstedt, 1845; S. (Het.) filia Rondani, 1860; S. (Het.) haemorrhoides Böttcher, 1913; S. (Het.) pumila Meigen, 1826; S. (Het.) vagans Meigen, 1826; S. (Lis.) dux Thomson, 1869; S. (Lis.) tuberosa Pandellé, 1896; S. (Meh.) sexpunctata (Fabricius, 1805); S. (Pan.) protuberans Pandellé, 1896; S. (Sar.) carnaria (Linnaeus, 1758); S. (Sar.) variegata (Scopoli, 1763), and S. (Pse.) spinosa Villeneuve, 1912. New locality records are provided for 25 species. Sarcophaga (Sar.) croatica Baranov, 1941 was the most abundant with 37%, followed by S. (Sar.) lehmanni Müller, 1922 (21%), and S. (Pas.) albiceps Meigen, 1826 (5%), making up 63% of all collected specimens. Most species (35) were collected in locality of Zmajevac, while the fewest (3) were collected in Bilje locality. During this study, S. (Pse.) spinosa was recorded in Croatia for the first time. Combined with previous records, 42 species of flesh flies have been recorded from Croatian Baranja, which comprise 27% of the flesh flies known to occur in Croatia. The total number of species of the family Sarcophagidae currently known in Croatia has increased to 156.

DNA barcoding of the horsefly fauna (Diptera, Tabanidae) of Croatia with notes on the morphology and taxonomy of selected species from Chrysopsinae and Tabaninae

In the Croatian fauna, horseflies (Tabanidae) are represented by 78 species belonging to two subfamilies, five tribes, and 10 genera. Identification of these species is based on morphological characteristics. In this study, 43 species of horseflies were analyzed. The highest number of species (19) belongs to the genus Tabanus, followed by the genera Hybomitra with seven species, Haematopota with six species, Chrysops with four species, Atylotus and Philipomyia with two species each, and the genera Silvius, Dasyrhamphis, and Heptatoma with one species each. The standard DNA barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene, subunit I (COI), was sequenced and compared to the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Our analyses confirmed our morphological identifications and added 16 new Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) for Tabanidae to BOLD. Potential problems in the systematics and taxonomy of this family are highlighted.

Efficiency of six different octenol-baited traps for collecting horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae)

The efficiency and the potential species preference for six different horsefly trap types was studied. A total of 2401 horseflies were collected during this study. The most effective trap was the modified box trap with (27.9%), followed by the Nzi trap with (24.5%), Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) with (22.5)%, canopy trap with (17.9%), modified small canopy trap with (7.0%) and Malaise trap (Townes design 1962) with (0.2%). The Nzi and Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) did not differ significantly in the number of collected horseflies. The comparison of all other traps revealed significant differences in the number of collected horseflies. Tabanus bromius was the most abundant species with (58.6%) of the collected sample. The modified box trap was the most successful in collecting of T. bromius, while the Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) was the most successful in collecting the species Haematopota pluvialis, T. maculicornis and T. tergestinus. This study demonstrated that different trap designs influenced the quantity, species and taxonomic diversity of horseflies that were collected. Variables in the trap design included cloth type and colour and size and shape of trap. More detailed studies should be done to determine which factor or factors are most significant.

Myiasis in domestic cats: a global review

Myiasis is an infestation caused by larvae of Diptera in humans and other vertebrates. In domestic cats, Felis silvestris catus L. (Carnivora: Felidae), four dipteran families have been reported as agents of obligatory and facultative myiasis: Oestridae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae. Among agents of obligatory myiasis, the most frequent genus is Cuterebra Clark (Oestridae) and the most frequent species is Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Calliphoridae). Among the agents of facultative myiasis, the most frequent species is Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Calliphoridae). A survey of myiasis in cats reported in literature shows that the cases are distributed worldwide and linked to the geographical range of the dipteran species. Factors favouring the occurrence of myiasis in cats are prowling in infested areas, poor hygiene conditions due to diseases and/or neglect, and wounds inflicted during territorial or reproductive competition. The aim of the review is to provide an extended survey of literature on myiasis in cats, as general information and possible development of guidelines for veterinarians, entomologists and other researchers interested in the field.

Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia

The diversity of hard tick fauna was studied in different forest communities in 48 localities of eastern Croatia using the dragging-flagging method and by hand from ten different vertebrate hosts. A total of 2,225 specimens comprising seven species in three genera were identified. Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant species (72.8% of all collected specimens) was recorded in 44 localities, followed by Dermacentor reticulatus in 19 localities, while the other five species (D. marginatus, H. concinna, H. inermis, I. canisuga, and I. hexagonus) were recorded in fewer localities. The highest ratio (67% of collected ticks) was in the adult stage with the predominance of females. The numbers of collected females, males, and nymphs of I. ricinus and H. concinna differed significantly. Ten new tick-host associations in Croatia were recorded. Fifty-three animals were infested with one tick species. Single species infestation with I. ricinus was found in 45.8% of animals, followed by D. reticulatus with 25.4%, D. marginatus with 10.2%, H. inermis and I. hexagonus with 3.4%, and I. canisuga with 1.7%. Coinfestation with two species of ticks were recorded in six animals. Ixodes ricinus, H. inermis, and D. reticulatus showed bimodal seasonal activity; for other species unimodal activity patterns were recorded.

Checklist of the Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of Croatia, with new records from Croatia and other Mediterranean countries

An updated checklist of Croatian flesh flies is presented based on the literature, on material collected from 2004 to 2017, and on specimens in museum collections. The checklist comprises 22 genera and 148 species (two left unnamed), 105 of which are represented by new Croatian records. Twenty-five species are recorded from Croatia with certainty for the first time: Amobiapelopei (Rondani, 1859), Apodacraseriemaculata Macquart, 1854, Craticulinatabaniformis (Fabricius, 1805), Macronychiastriginervis (Zetterstedt, 1838), Metopiacampestris (Fallén, 1810), Miltogrammabrevipila Villeneuve, 1911, Miltogrammaiberica Villeneuve, 1912, Miltogrammaoestracea (Fallén, 1820), Miltogrammapunctata Meigen, 1824, Oebalia cylindrica (Fallén, 1810), Phyllotelespictipennis Loew, 1844, Senotainiaconica (Fallén, 1810), Taxigrammahilarella (Zetterstedt, 1844), Taxigrammastictica (Meigen, 1830), Agriamonachae (Kramer, 1908), Nyctialugubris (Macquart, 1843), Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) aurulenta Rohdendorf, 1937, Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) batilligera Séguy, 1941, Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) plumicornis (Zetterstedt, 1859), Sarcophaga (Helicophagella) okaliana (Lehrer, 1975), Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) amita Rondani, 1860, Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) ancilla Rondani, 1865, Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) pseudobenaci (Baranov, 1942), Sarcophaga (Myorhina) lunigera Böttcher, 1914 and Sarcophaga (Stackelbergeola) mehadiensis Böttcher, 1912. Taxigrammahilarella, Nyctialugubris, Agriamonachae, Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) aurulenta and Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) amita are recorded from Southeast Europe with certainty for the first time. The species Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) hennigi Lehrer, 1978 is omitted from the list, as previous records from Croatia are shown to be based on an erroneous synonymy with Sarcophaganovaki Baranov, 1941 (= Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) croatica Baranov, 1941). Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) rufipes (Macquart, 1839) could not be confirmed from Croatia and is not included in the checklist. Three new synonymies are proposed: Golania Lehrer, 2000 = Thyrsocnema Enderlein, 1928, syn. nov., Parasarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) kovatschevitchi Strukan, 1970 = Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) marshalli Parker, 1923, syn. nov., and Sarcophagasubvicinassp.novaki Baranov, 1941 = Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) croatica Baranov, 1941, syn. nov. As part of an effort to update the European distributions of all Croatian species, the following new national and regional records are also provided: Miltogrammabrevipila, Miltogrammataeniata Meigen, 1824 and Sarcophaga (Heteronychia) pandellei (Rohdendorf, 1937) new to Greece; Sarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) harpax Pandellé, 1896 and Sarcophaga (Sarcophaga) croatica new to Italy (respectively mainland and mainland and Sicily); Miltogrammaiberica new to Bulgaria and Sardinia; Pterellaconvergens (Pandellé, 1895) new to mainland Italy and Sicily; Nyctialugubris new to mainland Italy and Sardinia; Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) litoralis (Villeneuve, 1911) new to Sardinia and thus confirmed for Italy; Apodacraseriemaculata, Macronychiastriginervis, Protomiltogrammafasciata (Meigen, 1824) and Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) ungulata (Pandellé, 1896) new to Sardinia and Sicily; Macronychiadolini Verves & Khrokalo, 2006, Macronychiapolyodon (Meigen, 1824), Metopiaargyrocephala (Meigen, 1824), Senotainiaalbifrons (Rondani, 1859), Taxigrammamultipunctata (Rondani, 1859), Taxigrammastictica, Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) unicolor (Villeneuve, 1912) and Sarcophaga (Helicophagella) agnata Rondani, 1860 new to Sardinia; Metopodiapilicornis (Pandellé, 1895), Miltogrammaoestracea, Miltogrammarutilans Meigen, 1824, Nyctiahalterata (Panzer, 1798), Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) lapidosa Pape, 1994 and Blaesoxipha (Blaesoxipha) plumicornis new to Sicily.

Efficiency of colored modified box traps for sampling of tabanids

The efficiency of ten differently colored modified box traps for collecting tabanids was studied in the Monjoroš Forest in eastern Croatia. A total of 5,436 specimens belonging to 16 species of tabanids grouped into six genera were collected. The genus Tabanus was the most represented with 98% of all collected tabanids. Tabanus bromius comprised 90% of tabanids collected, and was the most abundant species collected in all box traps. The majority of tabanids (74%) were collected from black, brown, bordeaux, red, and blue traps (dark group), whereas 26% were collected from green, light violet, white, orange, and yellow traps (light group). The black modified trap was the most successful and collected 20% of all collected tabanids, whereas the yellow trap was the least effective with 1%. The number of collected specimens of species T. bromius differed significantly between the dark and light group of traps. Traps with lower reflectance from green color collected 77% of T. bromius. The most species of tabanids (12) was collected in the brown trap, whereas the least number of species (6) was collected in the yellow trap.

Hard ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) of Croatia

The present paper is based on original and literature data. In Croatia the first studies on the occurrence of ixodid species were made about 80 years ago. The number of tick species recorded in Croatia considerably increased during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s of the past century. A total of 21 species of hard tick belonging to 5 genera have been recorded in Croatia. Ixodes is the best represented genus, with seven species recorded. Haemaphysalis is represented by six species, followed by Rhipicephalus with four species. Dermacentor and Hyalomma are represented by two species each. The ticks were collected on 47 different host species. Eleven tick species were collected on Bos taurus and Ovis aries, followed by Capra hircus and Equus caballus with 8 species and Canis lupus familiaris with 6 species. On the remaining 42 host species one, two or three tick species were collected. The most widespread tick is Ixodes ricinus which was found on 25 different host species.

Preliminary list of horse flies (Diptera, Tabanidae) of Serbia

Thirty six species of horse flies (Tabanidae) were previously known from Serbia (Europe). The present faunistic study of horse flies (Tabanidae) has resulted in the recording of the 4 new species Atylotus fulvus (Meigen, 1804); Tabanus miki Brauer in Brauer and Bergenstamm, 1880; Tabanus unifasciatus Loew, 1858; and Heptatoma pellucens (Fabricius, 1776), in the fauna of Serbia. The genus Heptatoma Meigen, 1803 is cited for the first time in the fauna of Serbia. 40 species are currently known from Serbia, belonging to nine genera. The fauna can be considered relatively poorly studied. Most of the species belong to the Boreal-Eurasian type of fauna 23, followed by the South European group with 8 species, the Mediterranean group with 6 species, European group with 2 species and Central European group with 1 species.