Earthworms (Lumbricidae) as Intermediate Hosts of Lung Nematodes (Metastrongylidae) of Swine in Kyiv and Zhytomyr Regions of Ukraine

Abstract

The article presents the data on prevalence and intensity of earthworms' infection with metastrongylid larvae in pork production enterprises of Kyiv and Zhytomyr Regions of Ukraine. In the investigated areas, six species of lumbricids were collected and identifi ed: Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826), A. caliginosa (Savigny, 1826), Dendrodrilus rubidus (Savigny, 1826), Lumbricus rubellus (Linnaeus, 1758), L.Terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758). Th e studies were carried out from April to September, 2016, both in pig farms and on pastures. We observed no pronounced changes in prevalence and intensity of infection during the warm period of the year. Th e highest infection rates were detected in earthworms living under the wooden floor of pigpens and in its cracks. In the studied localities, metastrongylid larvae were found in the most common worms of the Lumbricidae family: E. foetida, D. rubidus, A. caliginosa, and L. rubellus.