Diversity Assessment and the effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Relative Abundance of Medically Important Fly Species in Fouladshahr, Isfahan Province

Due to their close connection with humans, flies are able to mechanically transmit many pathogenic agents and thus cause various diseases. Knowing and determining the species of flies is necessary to know the current situation and plan for their control. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine and investigate the species diversity and relative abundance of medically important flies in Fouladshahr, Isfahan province.

The present study was of a descriptive-analytical type. Sampling was done from April to March 2018 for one year and twice a month in selected stations in Fouladshahr, Iran. The collection of adult flies was done using insect nets and using inverted cone plastic bottles traps. In order to try to obtain the maximum diversity of species, sampling was done in four seasons and six times in each season, twice a month and once in each region. The sampling location was selected based on the proximity to the places where flies grow and develop, such as around the hospital, garbage collection, health and treatment centers, and animal places with the possibility of flies. Daily average temperature, humidity and wind speed were recorded. After catching the flies, they were transported to the laboratory and mounted. A that point they were identified using a valid identification key. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and GEE regression statistical tests.

In the present study, 6030 flies from three species, Musidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, were caught. The highest number of flies belonged to the species Musca domestica (72%) and Sarcophaga aegypti (0.08%) had the lowest frequency. The highest abundance of flies was in the month of July and the lowest amount was respectively in the months of January and February in Fouladshahr. Correlation results indicated that with the decrease in humidity, the population of flies increased (P˂0.004) and with the increase in temperature, the abundance of flies increased (P˂0.0001).

Considering the abundance of flies and their health importance in the study area, it seems necessary to adopt appropriate methods to manage resources and use existing capacities to control the population of flies in the study area.