DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INSECTS INFESTING DOMESTIC SHEEP (Ovis aries) OF DISTRICT TOBA TEK SINGH, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

During a cross-sectional prospective epidemiological survey, a total of 2412 sheep were screened for the prevalence of insects. out of which, 333 (13.80%) were harbored for insects including lice (36.57%), fleas (3.23%) and flies (1.62%). among the identified species of lice, haematopinus spp. (44.14%) was predominant followed in order by damalinia ovis (26.42%) and linognathus spp. (17.71%). the flea ctenocepahlides (ct). felis was more common (4.50%) than ct. canis (3.30%). stomoxys calcitrans (3.90%) was the only prevalent specie of fly in the study area. infestation rate was higher in young sheep (72.68%) as compared to adults (27.32%) and level of infestation was significantly higher in females (75.37%) than males (24.62%). amongst various breeds of sheep, cholistani (19.81%) had the highest prevalence followed by kajli (13.49%), thalli (12.94%) and lohi (11.80%). prevalence of flies (37%) and lice (47%) was highest in december and january, respectively; whereas,that of fleas (39%) reached a peak in april. among various associated determinants, stall feeding, closed housing, tethered animals and non-cemented floor were found positively associated (p<0.05) with insect infestation. the results showed that insect abundance and the variety of genera were wide in this part of pakistan. this also causes concern over the emergence of insect-borne diseases in domestic animals.