Prevalence and intensity of Oestrus ovis in Akkaraman sheep in the Konya region of Turkey

Slaughterhouse surveys to determine the prevalence and intensity of larval Oestrus ovis Linnaeus (Diptera: Oestridae) in sheep, were conducted monthly for 1 year in Konya, Turkey. A total of 624 sheep, selected at random, were examined and 59% were found to be infested by O. ovis. A total of 8801 larvae were collected, of which 68.9% were first‐stage, 19.1% second‐stage and 12% third‐stage larvae. All three larval stadia were seen in each month of the year. The larval intensity for infected sheep was 23.9, with 16.48 L 1 , 4.55 L 2 and 2.87 L 3 . The monthly prevalence ranged from 34.6% in January to 76.9% in October. The largest number of larvae (180) was obtained from a sheep in August (122 L 1 , 52 L 2 and 6 L 3 ). The infestation rate was higher in 4–6‐year‐old sheep, at 72.6%. The infestation rates were 64.4% in female and 47.5% in male sheep.