Spatial Distribution of Necrophagous Flies of Infraorder Muscomorpha in Iran Using Geographical Information System

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Veterinary Entomology
• Public Health

Background:

• Medically important flies, particularly synanthropic species, serve as mechanical vectors for contagious diseases affecting humans and animals.
• Certain fly larvae are responsible for causing myiasis, a parasitic infestation, in both human and livestock populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the geographical distribution of medically important flies across Iran.
• To create the first spatial database of medically important flies and human myiasis foci within Iran.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review of published English and Persian documents on medically important flies in Iran was conducted.
• Data from 71 papers and three theses (1977-2017) were compiled into an Excel database.
• Geographical Information System (GIS) software (ArcGIS 10.3) was utilized to map fly distribution and myiasis foci.

Main Results:

• The study identified 102 species belonging to nine families of medically important flies in Iran.
• Medically important flies were reported in 23 out of 31 Iranian provinces, indicating wide geographical distribution.
• High species diversity, varied ecological niches, and numerous high-risk foci for human myiasis were observed across different provinces.

Conclusions:

• Medically important flies are widely distributed throughout Iran, with significant species diversity and ecological variation.
• The established spatial database provides a crucial resource for understanding and managing fly-borne diseases and myiasis in Iran.
• Targeted interventions and further research are needed in identified high-risk myiasis areas.