Recent studies on the biology and ecology of adult blackflies in relation to the transmission of human onchocerciasis in Guatemala are reviewed. First, earlier studies on the transmission of the disease since its discovery by Dr. R. Robles in 1915 are outlined. Second, eleven blackfly species caught on humans are evaluated for vector status on the basis of their natural and experimental infections with third-stage larvae of Onchocerca volvulus, and Simulium ochraceum,* S. metallicum* and S. callidum are confirmed as natural vectors of the disease in Guatemala in descending order of importance, whereas S. gonzalezi, S. haematopotum, S. veracruzanum and S. horacioi are potential vectors. Third, the migration and fate of O. volvulus microfilariae ingested by female blackflies are highlighted on the basis of the findings of the cibarial armature of S. ochraceum and physiological incompatibility of S. metallicum as main barriers against microfilariae, both of which greatly decrease the number of ingested O. volvulus microfilariae developing to the third-stage larvae per female. Fourth, among many ecological factors of female blackfly populations, geographical and altitudinal distributions, habits of blood feeding, host preferences for blood feeding, preference for human body parts, parous rates, daily and seasonal fluctuations of biting activities, in particular, of parous females, gonotrophic cycle, longevity, flight range, and annual transmission potential are reviewed, and their influences on the transmission dynamics of the disease agents are considered. Fifth, effects of air temperatures on the O. volvulus–S. ochraceum complex are examined, with a special reference to the characteristic altitudinal distributions of the disease. The importance of reliable identification of both the vector blackfly species and filarial larvae found in female blackflies is emphasized to understand the transmission of the disease. [*It is now known that these two species are actually species complexes.]

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Recent studies on the epidemiology and control of Guatemalan onchocerciasis, chiefly made by the Guatemala–Japan Cooperative Project on Onchocerciasis Research and Control, are reviewed. Epidemiological features of Guatemalan onchocerciasis are summarized as to characteristic altitudinal distribution of endemic areas, disease manifestation, vector taxonomy, biology and transmission dynamic of the disease. Extensive insecticide studies in the field and laboratory demonstrate that the characteristic situations of Guatemalan streams where Simulium ochraceum, the main vector of onchocerciasis, breeds require ingenious methods of larviciding. Finally, the feasibility of an area vector control is indicated by the successful control operation in the San Vicente Pacaya Pilot Area, in which a new fixed-dose larviciding method was applied.

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