Insect Transmitted Parasites

‘Filarial worms’ are long, thin roundworms that as adults are parasites in the blood or tissue of mammals, and as larvae usually develop in biting insects. In Australia buffalo fly is believed to be the insect vector of Stephanofilaria, and biting midges (Culicoides spp) are believed to be responsible for the spread of bovine onchocercosis.

• Stephanofilaria are linked to skin lesions on cattle
• Bovine onchocercosis results in nodules that are found in the carcass at slaughter