First molecular characterization and distribution of Oestrid fly larvae (Diptera: Oestridae) infesting horses and camels in Kazakhstan

Saltanat A. Kenessary, Ainur A. Zhaksylykova, Zaure Z. Sayakova, A.A. Abdibayeva

German Journal of Veterinary Research, 2026

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DOI 10.51585/gjvr.2026.4.0207
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

The prevalence, species composition, seasonal dynamics, and molecular characteristics of oestrid bot flies infesting camels and horses were investigated in the Atyrau and Kyzylorda oblasts of Kazakhstan.In total, 169 animals were examined between 2024 and 2025.Cephalopina titillator larvae were identified in camels, while Gasterophilus intestinalis and G. pecorum larvae were detected in horses.Adult G. intestinalis and Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus were also collected during field surveys.The prevalence of C. titillator infestation in camels was 55.0% in 2024 and 52.1% in 2025.A pronounced seasonal pattern was observed, with prevalence reaching 75.8% in June in Atyrau Oblast and 75.0% in July in Kyzylorda Oblast, followed by a marked decline by September.Neither geographic region nor year was significantly associated with infestation prevalence.Rhinoestrosis was detected in 11.8% of examined horses in 2024 and 5.8% in 2025.Gasterophilosis caused by G. intestinalis was detected in all 10 horses examined in Atyrau Oblast during targeted examinations.Partial mitochondrial cox1 sequences corroborated the morphological identification of C. titillator, G. intestinalis, and G. pecorum, with the sequences clustering with conspecific reference sequences in phylogenetic analysis.This study presents the first molecular analysis of bot flies infesting horses and camels in Kazakhstan, the first molecular confirmation of R. usbekistanicus in western Kazakhstan, and documents the recurrence of aberrant localization of G. pecorum larvae more than 40 years after its initial report.These findings expand current knowledge regarding the diversity, distribution, seasonal dynamics, and molecular characteristics of oestrid bot flies in Kazakhstan and provide a foundation for continued surveillance and integrated morphological and molecular investigations.