BLOWFLY SPECIES COMPOSITION IN SHEEP MYIASIS IN SCOTLAND

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