C. Soundararajan

Distribution of larval and pupal stages of Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) flies in the Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu

Endemicity of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in humans is linked to the location of Simulium spp. (black fly). The distribution of immature stages of Simulium in Sholur, Pykara, Gudalur, Coonoor and Kotagiri streams of the Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu was investigated during the months of May and July 2012. Out of these five streams, only Sholur was infested with larval and pupal stages of Simulium spp. Out of six plants collected from various water bodies, larval and pupal stages were found on the leaves and stems of an aquatic plant Nasturtium officinale and on the roots and leaves of Pennisetum glandulosum. The stages of Simulium were observed only during the summer month of May.

Incidence of Sarcoptic Mange and Its Control with Ivermectin in Sheep

A total of 256 sheep from six sheep flocks were examined for the presence of mange infestation. Out of those, 62 animals (24.22%) showed clinical lesions on the muzzle. The sheep infested with sarcoptic mange were treated with ivermectin (200 μg/kg body weight, s/c) and complete cure and disappearance of the crust was noticed after 12 to16 days of application.