Prevalence and morphological identification of fleas infesting small ruminants in Karnataka

A study was conducted to know the prevalence of fleas infesting small ruminants and influence of type of managemental condition on infestation in Karnataka. A total of 59 sheep and goat flocks maintained under different farming systems were investigated for flea infestation. The overall prevalence rate of flea infestation was found to be 59.32%. Sheep and goats reared together on mud floor and maintained under intensive management system were more infested. Young animals were more severely infested than adults. The prevalence of flea infestation was statistically significant (p<0.05) in goats than sheep and higher in intensive system than semi-intensive system of rearing. Ctenocephalides orientis and to a lesser extent Ctenocephalides felis felis were the two species of fleas infesting small ruminants. Ctenocephalides felis felis was the major flea on dogs and cats associated with infested flocks while very few dogs harboured mixed infestation of C. f. felis and C. orientis. Examination of hind tibia of genus Ctenocephalides is necessary for exact identification of species. The present findings indicate that C. orientis has adapted well to ruminant hosts whereas, C. f. felis appears to be better adapted to companion animals.