Short- and long-range dispersal by members of the Simulium damnosum complex (Diptera: simuliidae), vectors of onchocerciasis: a review
Author(s)
Cheke, Robert A
Hawkes, Frances M
Carnaghi, Manuela
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Blackfly members of the Simulium damnosum complex are major vectors of the parasite that causes onchocerciasis in Africa and Yemen, with other vector species involved in a few localized areas of Africa and in the Neotropics. Although the life cycle of these blackflies is linked to fast-flowing rivers, they can travel long distances (up to at least 500 km), calling into question how transmission zones are defined. Knowledge of the short- and long-range dispersal of these vectors could inform where control interventions and monitoring are necessary if targets for onchocerciasis elimination are to be met. Yet, research on blackfly dispersal has been limited and fragmented over the last 70 years. Here, we review the literature on the dispersal of onchocerciasis vectors, and we show the need for further research to establish how far larvae can travel downstream; the extent to which adults invade transmission zones; and whether adults migrate in a series of successive short movements or in single long-distance shifts, or use both methods.
Date Issued
2024-08-01
Date Acceptance
2024-08-10
Citation
Insects, 2024, 15 (8)
ISSN
2075-4450
Publisher
MDPI AG
Journal / Book Title
Insects
Volume
15
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39194811
PII: insects15080606
Subjects
blackflies
CONTROL PROGRAM AREA
dispersal
Entomology
flight distance
FOREST
INFECTION
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
migration
NORTH CAMEROON
onchocerciasis
REINVASION
river blindness
Science & Technology
SIERRA-LEONE
Simulium
SUDAN-SAVANNA AREA
THEOBALD SL DIPTERA
TRANSMISSION
WEST-AFRICA
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Article Number
606
Date Publish Online
2024-08-12