The prevalence of pigeon fly (Pseudolynchia canariensis) and its phoretic association with mites in domestic pigeons kept in west of Iran

The pigeon fly (Pseudolychia canariensis) causes irritation in infested birds and potentially transmits malaria-like parasites such as Haemoproteus columbae. On the other hand, the pigeon fly may be infested by mites, a phenomenon called phoresy. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of pigeon fly, identify its possible phoretic association with mites, and determine the prevalence of hemoproteid parasites in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. From May 2015 to May 2016, 16 colonies of domestic pigeons were investigated. In case of infestation, the flies were fixed in ethanol containing glycerin and then placed in potassium hydroxide. The flies were identified based on morphological characteristics. The masses suspected to contain mites were removed from the body surfaces of flies by centrifugation and floatation methods. Extracted mites were mounted on glass slides and identified based on morphology. Blood smears were prepared from pigeons for observing possible hemoproteid parasites. Out of 16 colonies of pigeons, one colony (6.25%) was infested with pigeon fly and a mite, identified as Myialges anchora. Blood smears taken from the birds in this pigeon loft were positive for H. columbae. To the best of our knowledge, this survey showed the phoretic association between pigeon fly and M. anchora for the first time in domestic pigeons in western regions of Iran. It is recommended that in case of avian and mammals’ infestation with flies, especially hippoboscid flies, possible infestation with mites and phoretic association between the flies and mites should be investigated as well.