Blowfly species composition in sheep myiasis in Scotland.

Samples of dipteran larvae were collected from live sheep throughout Scotland, reared in the laboratory, and identified once adult flies emerged. Lucilia sericata was found in 77% of samples, and other species in 49%. The most common alternative species were L.caesar, which occurred in 31% of samples, and Protophormia terraenovae, which occurred in 18%. Three other calliphorid species, Calliphora vomitoria, C.vicina and L.illustris, and the muscid Muscina pabulorum were also found. The proportion of samples containing alternative species was significantly lower in eastern Scotland than in western Scotland. Significantly higher proportions of samples containing alternative species were collected at altitudes of 200m and above; from sheep of hill breeds; from rough grazing conditions and moorland; in the absence of trees; and in the presence of bracken.