SEASONAL FLUCTUATION IN THE POPULATION OF Musca domestica (Housefly ) IN IKPOBA SLOPE, BENIN ABATTOIR

ABSTRACT

The seasonal fluctuation in the population and sex ratio of Musca domestica found at the Ikpoba slope, Benin abattoir was investigated from the month of August 2020 to January 2021. Houseflies were caught with the aid of a sweep net during both seasons (Rainy season and dry season).  A total number of 1141 houseflies were collected from different sampling points (Butcher table, meat, bones and dungs) . Dry season had the highest number of housefly species(852) whilst rainy season recorded the lesser number of species(589). The bulk of housefly population was recorded in December with a number of 320 species and the least number was recorded in September with a number of 170 samples of housefly. Rainfall data for the sampling months were collected and this indicated that December had the lowest amount of rainfall , which promotes the reproduction and emergence of housefly species ,housefly species thrive more during the dry seasons and this results in an increase in their abundance. September had the highest amount of rainfall during the period of sampling and less numbers of housefly species were recorded. The life cycle of the housefly varies with seasons, taking about 11 days in the dry season and 22 days in the wet season.  The male houseflies were proportional to the female houseflies during the wet season, but were more during the dry seasons. Analysis of the result shows that more houseflies were collected from the butcher table during the dry season, while the dungs had the less number during the dry seasons. The presence of the housefly on beef poses health hazards to man, they are responsible for most of the pathogenic diseases some of which are typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery, tuberculosis etc. therefore the need for the management of the abattoir to observe good hygiene conditions is important