Prevalence of botfly larvae and lice in studs of North Caucasus (Stawropol County, Russia).

From 14 to 17 April 1990 and from 12 to 21 May 1993 a total of 136 Caucasian (Donish, Karabakh, Kabardin, local halfbred) and 26 thoroughbred stud-horses were examined for ectoparasites in studs of Stawropol County, Russia. A total of 4054 botfly larvae were identified from 9700 faecal samples collected during a period of 3-4 days after oral treatment with Eqvalan (MSD), Strongid Plus (Pfizer) and Vermitan Plus (Sanofi-Chinoin). The species distribution was: Gasterophilus intestinalis 84.53%, G. nasalis 10.41%, G. haemorrhoidalis 3.62%, G. inermis 1.41%. Gasterophilus nasalis and G. inermis had not been recorded in the North Caucasian region previously. One hundred and fourteen (of the 136) halfbred and 26 thoroughbred horses were examined for ectoparasites, and all were found to be infested with biting lice (Werneckiella equi equi) and sucking lice (Haematopinus asini).