Monthly and Daily Dynamics of <em>Stomoxys calcitrans </em>(Diptera: Muscidae) in Livestock Farms of the Batna Region (Northeastern Algeria)

Stomoxys calcitrans is a hematophagous fly species of veterinary importance, known for its nega-tive effects on animal health and productivity. Despite its impact, data on its ecology and activity in Algeria are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the monthly and daily dynamics of S. calci-trans in livestock farms in the Batna region and evaluate the influence of climatic factors on its abundance. From July 2022 to July 2023, Vavoua traps were placed monthly from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on four farms in the Batna region, representing different livestock types. Captured flies were iden-tified, sexed, and counted every two hours. Climatic data were collected both in situ and from NASA POWER datasets. Fly abundance was analyzed using non-parametric statistics, Spear-man’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. A total of 1244 S. calcitrans were captured, mainly from cattle farms. Activity occurred from August to December, with a peak in September. Males were more abundant and exhibited a bimodal activity in September. Fly abundance was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation and negatively correlated with wind speed and humidity. This study presents the first ecological data on S. calcitrans in northeastern Algeria, highlighting its seasonal dynamics and the climatic drivers that influence it. The results highlight the species&#039; preference for cattle and indicate that temperature and rainfall are key fac-tors influencing its abundance. These findings lay the groundwork for targeted control strategies against this neglected pest in Algeria.