Introduction
River blindness, much like the zika virus or malaria, is a vector borne disease. River blindness, also know is Roble’s disease or Onchocerciasis, however is often looked over by most of the citizens of the world even though 25 million people are estimated to be infected by the disease (CDC). The vector for this disease is the blackfly of genus Simulium. Silimium spp can be found around the world and are often considered pests, and a select few species of this genus act as the vector for Onchocerciasis. Similium spp spread the parasite Oncherca Volvus who is the cause of Onchocerciasis (CDC). The most notable species that act as vectors are Simulium damnosum and Simulium ochraceum (Laird, 1981). Onchocerciasis can also be transmitted to cattle by several other species of Simulium (Capinera 2008). Onchocerciasis can be fyound in Africa and in Central America where it was spread to by the slave trade (Laird, …show more content…
Blackflies are sometimes referred to as humpback flies due to their sclerite’s hump shape in the adult insects, this is one of the most easily identified characteristics of the black fly (Capinera 2008). Blackfly larvae are often aquatic laying their eggs in fast moving water, the larvae have a distinguished head and a long body (Capinera 2008). Adult blackflies are both blood feeding and plant feeding, however only the female adults are capable of blood feeding (Capinera 2008). The larvae are recognized by either abdominal tubercles or scales on the proleg (Crosskey 1990). A critical factor in the blackfly’s success as a vector is their ability to blood feed. It is through this process that the female is able to pass on the Onchocerca volvus parasite to the human or animal host which then spreads Onchocerciasis. The blackflies capability is to blood feed is also undoubtedly what makes it a nuisance, even when it is not spreading
River blindness, much like the zika virus or malaria, is a vector borne disease. River blindness, also know is Roble’s disease or Onchocerciasis, however is often looked over by most of the citizens of the world even though 25 million people are estimated to be infected by the disease (CDC). The vector for this disease is the blackfly of genus Simulium. Silimium spp can be found around the world and are often considered pests, and a select few species of this genus act as the vector for Onchocerciasis. Similium spp spread the parasite Oncherca Volvus who is the cause of Onchocerciasis (CDC). The most notable species that act as vectors are Simulium damnosum and Simulium ochraceum (Laird, 1981). Onchocerciasis can also be transmitted to cattle by several other species of Simulium (Capinera 2008). Onchocerciasis can be fyound in Africa and in Central America where it was spread to by the slave trade (Laird, …show more content…
Blackflies are sometimes referred to as humpback flies due to their sclerite’s hump shape in the adult insects, this is one of the most easily identified characteristics of the black fly (Capinera 2008). Blackfly larvae are often aquatic laying their eggs in fast moving water, the larvae have a distinguished head and a long body (Capinera 2008). Adult blackflies are both blood feeding and plant feeding, however only the female adults are capable of blood feeding (Capinera 2008). The larvae are recognized by either abdominal tubercles or scales on the proleg (Crosskey 1990). A critical factor in the blackfly’s success as a vector is their ability to blood feed. It is through this process that the female is able to pass on the Onchocerca volvus parasite to the human or animal host which then spreads Onchocerciasis. The blackflies capability is to blood feed is also undoubtedly what makes it a nuisance, even when it is not spreading