Molecular evidence of pathogens and endosymbionts in the black horse fly Osca lata (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Southern Chile

by Christian R. González, Carolina Reyes, Andrés Castillo, Lara Valderrama, Lorena Llanos, Jorge Fernández, Gillian Eastwood, Beatriz Cancino-Faure

Little is known about the role of horse flies in potential pathogen transmission in Chile. This study provides evidence of the molecular detection of microorganisms in southern Chile. In the present study, adult Osca lata horse flies were trapped from Punucapa (39°45’06”S/73°16’08”W, Región de Los Ríos) and Puyehue (40°39’10”S/72°10’57”W, Región de Los Lagos), Chile. Among the 95 samples analyzed by PCR using specific primers, microorganisms were detected in 23.2% (n = 22) of the samples. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 15.8% (n = 15) of the samples, Trypanosomatidae DNA in 5.3% (n = 5) of the samples, and filarial DNA in 2.1% (n = 2) of the samples. This study found that horse flies in the region are capable of carrying a variety of both parasites and endosymbionts. Further research is needed to understand the specific impact of horse flies as mechanical or biological vectors and develop effective control measures to prevent the spread of any microorganisms associated with disease.