Muscoid fly populations in tsunami-devastated villages of southern India

Several coastal villages of southern India were affected by the 26 December 2004 tsunami, and 10,749 people were killed. Investigation carried out in the affected villages during fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks posttsunami showed that the fly density was in the range of 12-91.8 flies per sweep net. In total, 3,259 flies belonging to eight species, namely, Musca domestica L., Musca vicina Macquart, Musca sorbens Wiedemann, Calliphora erythrocephala Robineau-Desvody, Sarcophaga ruficornis F., Chrysomyia sp. Robineau-Desvody, Chlorops sp., and Fannia sp. Robineau-Desvody, were recorded. M. domestica was the predominant species constituting 78.2% of the total flies collected. Density of flies was the highest in temporary shelters constructed for the victims, followed by centralized kitchens and devastated human settlements. Lack of waste control at centralized kitchens nearer to the shelters might be the reason for the high fly density in relief shelters. Under these circumstances, outbreak of fly-borne diseases is likely to be aggravated. Therefore, it is suggested that the ongoing space spraying be supplemented with effective waste control measures to reduce the high density of flies.