Myiasis caused by Cephalopina titillator (Diptera: Oestridae) in camels (Camelus dromedarius) of semi-arid areas in Iran: distribution and associated risk factors

Cephalopina titillator is a common obligate parasite of camel in Africa and Asia. Camel bot fly causes severe economic losses to the camel such as reduction of milk production and fertility, diminution of physiological functions, difficulty in breathing, and tissue damage. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of C. titillator infestation in camels slaughtered in the abattoir of Yazd, center of Iran. Three hundred slaughtered camels were accurately inspected for presence of C. titillator larvae. The last abdominal ring of larvae was carefully sectioned. The sections were transparent and then slides of each sample were separately prepared and analyzed. The overall, prevalence of C. titillator was 52.3 % (157/300). Prevalence of the infestation in females (56 %) was greater than males (50.5 %). The infestation rate was significantly higher in colder months (62.5 %) compared to warmer ones (32. %). The prevalence rate was lower in camels less than 4 years old (38.7 %) compared to those of 5–9 (57.2 %) and over 10 years old (51.8 %). Our study showed that high prevalence of C. titillator in camels of center and south areas of Iran. Due to negative effects of C.titillator infection on health and products of camel, further studies should be done to identify and control of camel bot fly in the studied areas.