VETERINARY AND MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HORSEFLY (TABANIDAE). REVIEW

The article provides information on the harmful effect of horseflies (Diptera, Tabanidae) as a midge component and a vector (carrier) transmitting pathogens of infectious and parasitic diseases including zoonosis. Horseflies are harmful to animals and humans in places of their abundance. Horseflies cause significant economic losses to livestock. With an intense attack of horseflies, individual areas of the skin of animals represent a continuous bleeding surface. Horsefly saliva inserted into a wound at the time of the bite is very toxic and allergenic causing a local inflammatory process and general intoxication of the body. The insects are of particular danger as vectors transmitting pathogens of animals and humans. The role of horseflies in the transmission of tularemia in natural foci of this infection has been proven. The sources of horsefly infection are primarily various small mammals including water rats. Horseflies are equally important as carriers of the anthrax pathogen. Causative agents of Coxiella burnetti infection, blackleg, pasteurellosis, and other infections have been isolated from horseflies. Horseflies are involved in the transmission of Trypanosoma evansi in horses and camels, anaplasmosis in cattle, Theileria cervi in reindeer, and equine infectious anemia virus.