The foregoing study on pages 142-146 was accepted on 30th April, 2016. http:/ / dx.doi.org/ 10.4314/ njpar.v37i2.4 © Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria, 2016. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology ISSN 1117 4145 Volume 37[2] September 2016 Relative abundance of synanthropic flies with associated parasites and pathogens in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria Eke, S. S., 1 * Idris, A. R., 1 Omalu, I. C. J., 1 Otuu, C. A., 1 Ibeh, E. O., 1 Ubanwa, E. D., 1 Luka, J. 2 and Paul, S. 1 1 Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria 2 Zoology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi email: ekesamuel2012@gmail.com, ekesamuel4real@yahoo.co.uk Abstract Synanthropic flies constitute a global problem. They are responsible for the transmission of wide varieties of protozoan parasites and other pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi in human and animals. This study was carried out to investigate parasite and pathogens associated with synanthropic flies in Bosso, Chanchaga and Maikunkele in Minna from 4 sampling sites, abattoir, dump sites, open fields and kitchens. The flies were collected with locally designed traps between April and August, 2014. A total of 682 synanthropic flies were sampled and 6 different species identified. Flies identified were Musca domestica 252 (36.95%) , Musca sorbens 32(4.92%), Fannia cannicularis 137 (20.09%), Sarcophaga sp 164 (24.05%) while Phormia regina and Stomoxys calcitrans are 24 (3.52%) and 75 (10.10%) respectively . In all the locations, Musca domestica has the highest population 252 (36.95%) and Phormia regina 24 (3.52%) the least. Five parasites and four bacteria were isolated from the flies which include Entamoeba histolytica 30 (53.57%), Ascaris lumbricoides 8 (14.29%), Strongyloides stercoralis 6 (10.71), Hookworm ova 5 (8.93%) and Trichiuris trichiura 7 (12.50%) . Bacteria isolated are Streptococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Klebsiella species. Results showed that synanthropic flies pose a serious health risk to the inhabitants of Minna Metropolis and therefore need to be controlled. Keywords: synanthropic flies, parasites, pathogens, viruse, fungi. Introduction Synanthropic flies adapted to live in close association with human habitations and are capable of transmitting human pathogens either mechanically or biologically through this close relationship [1]. The link between human pathogens and fly transmission is due to the fact that adults feed on animal manure, trash, human excrement, and other decaying materials; readily moving between these habitats and food, food preparation surfaces and humans themselves [2]. Species of flies in the families Muscidae (house flies, latrine flies, and relatives), the Calliphoridae (blow flies and bottle flies), and the Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) have evolved to live in close association with human development. There are over 50 species of synanthropic flies that have been reported to be associated with unsanitary conditions and involved in the dissemination of human enteropathogens [2]. In addition, the larvae of these flies can also cause myiasis in human and livestock [3]. The annoyance and public health risks associated with large populations of such flies is thus considerable. Human activities produce large quantities of organic waste suitable as breeding sites for calyptrate fly species. Synanthropic flies and their association with unsanitary conditions are important for public health reasons since they may be carriers of enteric pathogens [2, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The aim of this study was to determine the synanthropic fly species composition in Minna metropolis and to identify the parasite and pathogen associated with the flies. Materials and methods Description of study area Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria, is located within Longitude 6°33’E and Latitude 9°37’N, covering a land area of 88 km 2 with an estimated human population of 1.2