First report of the Philornis torquans complex in adult birds in continental Ecuador: Is parasitism by Philornis being underestimated?

Abstract

Myiasis by Philornis is a usual phenomenon in Neotropical birds. Philornis larvae are hematophagous and are known to affect both nestlings and adults. Still, parasitism in adults seems opportunistic and has been poorly studied compared to parasitism in nestlings. Here, we inspected 1,429 adult and juvenile birds of 41 species from an Andean dry forest in northern Ecuador, searching for infestations by Philornis larvae. For the first time, we report parasitism by Philornis in adult birds of 6 species of passerine birds (Troglodytes aedon, Conirostrum cinereum, Geospizopsis plebejus, Zonotrichia capensis, Pheucticus chrysogaster, and Spinus magellanicus). We also report the first cases of infestation by the Philornis torquans complex in Ecuador and provide data on the prevalence of Philornis myiasis in this Andean dry forest. We extend both the host range and the geographic distribution of the P. torquans complex.