Abstract

Onchocerciasis vector, Simulium (Edwardsellum) damnsoum sensu lato (Diptera: Simuliidae), breeds near rapids and cataracts in running water rich in oxygen and are usually found attached to water plants, trailing roots and branches, stones and rocks. This study was conducted to identify the plant species associated with the aquatic stages of S. damnosum s. l. vectors in two foci: AbuHamed in northern Sudan and Galabat in eastern Sudan during 2007 to 2009. All collected aquatic stages were identified as S. damnosum s. l. The plants collected are identified as follows: Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel. Family:Poaceae, Polygonum glabrum Willd. Family: Polygonaceae and Phragmites australis(Cav.) Family: Poaceae in AbuHamed focus, and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers Family: Poaceae, Kanahia laniflora (Forssk.) R.Br. Family: Asclepiadaceae and Digitaria ciliaris(Retz.) Koel. Family: Poaceae in Galabat focus. This is the first documentation and identification of plants associated with breeding of S. damnosum s. l. in Sudan.

Key words: Simulium damnosum s. l., Onchocerca volvulus, plants association, onchocerciasis, Sudan.