Number Of Horn Flies Research Articles

Comparison of Pyrethroid Ear Tags and Tapes for Face Fly and Horn Fly Control on Beef Cattle, 1983

Abstract Three commercially available pyrethroid cattle ear tags (8% Ectrin, 10% Permectrin and 10% Atroban) plus the Ectiban tape containing 1.2g (AI) permethrin per tape were evaluated for their comparitive effectiveness in controlling face flies and horn flies on pastured beef cattle in two tests. Test 1 consisted of six mixed breed cow-calf herds, and one herd of steers, located in Mercer County, KY. The number of animals per herd ranged from 16-68. Cattle were treated in May and June. Herds in Test 2 were located in Clark County and were comprised of mixed breed steers ranging from 75 to 100 animals and were treated in May. All ear tags were evaluated at 1 tag/hd and 2 tags/hd and the Ectiban ear tag tapes were tested at the recommended rate of 1 tape/hd wrapped around an existing identification ear tag. Two similar cow-calf herds within the area were used as untreated check herds for Test 1 and an untreated steer herd was used as a check herd for Test 2. Fly counts were made on 10 animals in each herd by counting the number of face flies on the face of each animal and estimating the number of horn flies on one side of the same animals. Calves were not included in these counts.

Control of the Face Fly and Horn Fly on Beef Cattle, 1982

Abstract Several insecticides and application methods were evaluated Jun through Sep on 5 separate herds of beef cattle, located in Montgomery Co, Blacksburg, VA. Herd no 1 consisted of ca 20 mixed breed heifers and cows with calves, treated with a burlap backrubber and a mineral feeder type burlap facerubber, charged with 1 pt Ravap EC and 3.5 gal diesel fuel. Herd no 2 consisted of ca 25 mixed breed heifers and cows with calves, treated with a burlap backrubber and a mineral feeder equipped with reservoir type facerubber cords, charged with 1 pt Ravap EC and 3.5 gal diesel fuel. Herd no 3 consisted of 14 Angus heifers treated with 2 Ectrin 8% ear tags per animal. Herd no 4 consisted of ca 55 mixed breed cows with calves, treated with a mineral feeder type ‘Dustacator’ and later changed (wk 10) to standard dust bags. Both applicators were charged with Ectiban 0.25% dust. Herd no 5 consisted of ca 30 mixed breed cows and heifers, treated with a burlap backrubber and a mineral feeder type facerubber, charged with 1 pt Ectiban 5.7%EC and 5 gal diesel fuel. Comparative efficacy was based on an untreated control herd, consisting of ca 20 mixed breed cows with calves. All herds were within ca 2 miles of each other. Weekly fly counts were made on 10 animals per herd and are expressed as the mean number of face and horn flies per treatment. The same person performed the weekly fly counts to eliminate inaccuracy due to subjectivity.

Cattle, Insecticide Ear Tag Tape for Face Fly and Horn Fly Control, 1981

Abstract Twenty-five mixed beef breed cows, 5 heifers and eight 300-400 lb calves were treated for flies by attaching a “butterfly” shaped duct tape containing an ampule of 1 g technical Ectiban (permethrin) around the shank of the animal’s identification ear tag. One tape/head was attached to the ear tag of each animal on Jul 23. After attachment the ampule was broken to release the permethrin. Twelve calves under 300 lb within this herd were not treated. These cattle had been on a 1% CO2Ral dust bag treatment prior to the Ectiban tape treatment and had no horn flies when the ear tag tapes were applied. A similar herd of beef cattle within the area was used as an untreated check for evaluating the effectiveness of the tapes. Fly counts were made on the treatment date prior to treatment and at regular post-treatment intervals. Mean pre-treatment face fly counts were 25/cow and 36/calf on the treated cattle and 28 face flies/cow and 42 flies/calf on the untreated cattle. Horn fly numbers on the untreated cattle averaged 141/head during the test period.

Use of insecticide-impregnated ear tags for the control of face flies and horn-flies on pastured cattle.

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of insecticide-impregnated ear tags in controlling face flies, Musca autumnalis DeGeer, and horn flies, Haematobia irritans (Linn.), on pastured beef cattle. In one 16-week trial, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ear tags treated with stirofos (Rabon) insecticide reduced horn fly numbers by 79% (P less than .05) and face fly numbers by 30% (P less than .05). Coumaphos (Co-Ral) insecticide dust bags used in a separate herd produced an 86% (P less than .05) reduction in horn flies and an 18% (P less than .05) reduction in face flies. In the second study, 5 and 10% permethrin (Atroban), PVC-treated ear tags in a one-piece design were tested. In this 11 week trial, horn fly control averaged 95% (P less than .05) with the 10% tag and 77% (P less than .05) with the 5% tag. Face fly control averaged 49% (P less than .05) for 8 weeks with the 10% permethrin tag. No significant face fly control was achieved with the 5% permethrin tag. In a herd treated with coumaphos dust bags, horn fly control averaged 93% (P less than .05) and face fly control averaged 34% (P less than .05). The third study tested 5 and 10% permethrin, PVC-treated ear tags in a two-piece design and two-piece 5% permethrin-treated ear tags in a polyurethane matrix. Fourteen-week horn fly control averaged 88% (P less than .05) with the 10% PVC-treated tag, 83% (P less than .05) with the 5% PVC-treated tag, 71% (P less than .05) with the 5% polyurethane-treated tag and 74% (P less than .05) with coumaphos dust bags. Face fly control averaged less than 50% (P greater than .05) throughout the trial with all treatments.

Predation of Philonthus flavolimbatus1 on the Horn Fly 2

Adult Philonthus flavolimbatus Erichson collected near College Station, TX, in 2-day-old bovine manure pats were used to establish a laboratory colony. In subsequent laboratory tests, 5 adult beetles placed on manure reduced the number of adult horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), that emerged from 100 eggs to 6 (a 91% reduction when corrected for control mortality) and 10 beetles almost completely (+99%) eliminated production of adults from 100 eggs. The reduction was primarily the result of predation on the eggs. In simulated field tests, similar ratio of one beetle to 10 horn fly eggs gave only a 72% reduction.

Horn and Face Fly Control with Fenvalerate and RabonR Ear Tags, 1978

Abstract Fenvalerate ear tags (SD 43775, 8% ai) were attached to 22 adult cows in two herds on May 1’78. RabonR ear tags (SD 8447, 13.7% ai) were attached to 15 adult cows in one herd on May 17’78. All animals were tagged in both ears. None of the 23 calves in the three treatment herds was treated. Six herds of similar size with no fly treatment constituted the control. Horn and face flies were counted on the face and one side of the animals with the aid of binoculars. Half of the calves in all herds were treated for cattle grubs on Sept 12’78 with famphur pour-on. This apparently caused the sharp reduction in horn fly numbers in the untreated herds on Sept 19’78.

Techniques for shipping large numbers of adult horn flies.

Techniques were developed for shipping large numbers of Haematobia irritans (L.) from Kerrville, Tex., to Molokai, Hawaii, for release in a pilot sterile-male program. Both O2 depletion and CO2 accumulation were found to be critical factors in the survival of the flies. Chilled, marked, irradiated flies were packaged in perforated paper bags which were then stored in the lower compartment of an insulated shipping container. Frozen eutectic material in the upper compartment maintained the flies in the chilled (<5°C) immobile state to reduce energy expenditures. A CO2 absorber and O2 were added before the container was scaled for shipment. With these methods, we delivered flies with an average 85% survival over the 30–36 h time from packaging to release.

Aerial ULV and LV applications of insecticides for control of the stable fly and the horn fly.

Low-volume application of dichlorvos to dairy farms by fixed-wing aircraft resulted in decreases in the numbers of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), which ranged from 30 to 60% 24 hours posttreatment. Low-volume applications of naled by both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft at feedlots resulted in decreases of stable fly numbers, which ranged from 77.9 to 92% and 30.8 to 94.3%, respectively, 24 hours posttreatment. Ultra-low-volume (ULV) applications at feedlots by fixed-wing aircraft of naled, fenthion, dichlorvos, and a mixture of dichlorvos and Shell SD-8447 (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate) resulted in decreases in stable fly numbers, which averaged 78.4, 75.1, 85.8, and 75.9%, respectively, 24 hours posttreatment. ULV applications of fenthion, trichlorfon, malathion, and naled by fixed-wing aircraft resulted in a reduction of 90% or more in the numbers of horn flies on range cattle. Five aerial ULV applications of naled within 62 days were not enough to keep horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), numbers on range cattle below 50 per animal.

Further tests of aerial applications of ULV organic phosphate insecticides for controlling the horn fly in South Dakota.

During the summer of 1969, Ravap® (a 1:4 mixture of dichlorvos and Cardona® (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate)) and dichlorvos were tested in ULV formulations and applied by aircraft to control Haematobia irritans (L.) on range cattle in South Dakota. Ravap, in 4 pounds per gallon oil solution, was applied at 12 ounces per acre and dichlorvos at 90% solution at 2½ ounces per acre. Counts made the day following application showed that Ravap gave 78.2% reduction in the average number of horn flies per side on cows and 82.4% reduction on calves. Dichlorvos on the day following application gave 53.7% reduction on cows and 67.8% reduction on calves. Neither compound showed economic control at the end of 1 week. Horn flies, as counted in the check herd, showed 2 seasonal peaks, the average on July 15 was 1000 per side and on August 25 was 440 per side. The mid-season low average of 78 per side occurred August 4.

Biological and Ecological Investigations of Horn Flies in Central Texas: Influence of Other Insects in Cattle Manure1

Cattle droppings exposed to insect activity for 5 minutes produced significantly greater numbers of Haematobia irritans (L.) than droppings exposed for 30 minutes or for 2, 4, 6, or 24 hours. There was a significant negative correlation (r = −0.9*) between the mean numbers of horn flies and the mean numbers of insects of other species produced per dropping during the 6 time intervals studied.

Control of the Face Fly and the Horn Fly with Self-Applicatory Dust Bags12

In the summer of 1967, 48 herds of cattle (1568 head) in South Carolina were utilized in an experiment to detennine the efficacy of dusts against the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, and the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). The herds had access to the following treatments: 1% coumaphos; 5% or 2% methoxychlor; 3% crotoxyphos (Ciodrin®); 5% toxaphene + 5% DDT + 1% lindane found to reduce(Lintox®); 2% DDT + 2% methoxychlor; 3% Crotoxyphos (Simax®); 5% coumaphos; Pmina® dust (0.075% pyrethrins, 0.2% MGK® Repellent 326 (di- n -propyl 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate) 0.2% MGK® 264 ( N -(2-ethylhexyl)-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboximide)); calcium carbonate inert dust; untreated check. Face fly control was erratic but generally good to excellent with the 1st 5 treatments listed above, All treatments for horn fly control were found to reduce horn fly numbers significantly below those on the untreated check herds.

Contributions to the Biology of the Horn Fly12

The abundance of adult Haematobia irritans (L.) emerging from bovine manure was observed in relation to 6 measurable variables. Only a slight increase in frequency of occurrence was noted with increased length of exposure from 2 minutes to 8 hours. It was found that the female horn fly will oviposit at any time of day or night. Seasonal abundance was studied, and a general increase in numbers occurred throughout the summer period. Wind movements averaging 6 miles per hour or more apparently had an adverse effect upon egg deposition. The viscosity of the manure pads as well as their size also had a direct effect upon the numbers of horn flies emerging from them.

Horn Fly Dispersal1

Tests were conducted at state college, Mississippi, during 1966 to establish the dispersion of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L). Four procedures for the tests conditions were used and each was replicated 3 times. Procedures of releasing and recapturing marked flies were used to establish movement. Regression curves were computed to predict dispersion for each of the 4 test conditions by the use of a developed regression formula. Recaptured marked horn fly numbers decreased significantly as the distance from the release point increased, but a significant number of horn flies were recaptured at each collection point. Flies were found to move distances in excess of 400 yards. Tests indicted fly movement was principally nocturnal. A significantly larger number of flies moved at night than in the daytime. It is concluded that the ability of the horn fly to fly aggressively, especially during night-time hours, has been greatly underestimated. These flies are very active in seeking a suitable host.

Control Implications of a Behavioral Trait in Male Horn Flies1

This study originated from the knowledge that Haematobia irritans (L.), which inhabit the feet and lower legs of cattle, are predominantly males. When the feet and lower legs of steers infested by horn flies were sprayed twice weekly for 5½ weeks with a residual insecticide the entire horn fly population was eliminated. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, reductions were noted in male-to-female ratio and percentage of inseminated females. A similar treatment with dairy herds for 4 weeks held horn fly numbers to a level comparable with that attained by conventional chemical treatments. Male-to-female ratio and percentage of inseminated females also were reduced.

Autecology of the Adult Horn Fly, Haematobia Irritans (L.), (Diptera: Muscidae)

During the horn fly seasons of 1959 and 1960, experiments were conducted to determine the relationship of weather conditions to horn fly populations on three breeds of dairy heifers, to correlate the effect of the macroenvironment on the microenvironment within the 1/2 in. mantle of a heifer, and also to correlate the locations of horn flies within this mantle with various factors of the microenvironment. Usually there was a significant difference between the number of horn flies on Holstein and that on Guernsey and Jersey heifers. The flies generally preferred the dark—colored areas of biocolored cattle during daylight hours, and the black of the Holstein to the tan of the Guernsey. When the macrotemperature was above 85°C, many of the flies were found on the white skin of the belly and udder area of heifers. During inclement weather the flies were observed on both the white and dark—colored areas of all heifers. Macrotemperature and relative humidity influenced the horn fly populations within the biocenose. The apparently preferred macroclimate for macroclimate for horn flies was: temperature 73 to 80°F, relative humidity 65 to 90%, scattered light showers, and no wind. The flies apparently sought certain microenvironmental conditions most commonly observed on Holsetin heifers. Within the mantle of microenvironment, horn flies appeared to prefer an air temperature of about 85°F, a skin temperature of about 97°F, and a relative humidity of about 65%. When such conditions were not available to the flies on the sides and backs of Holstein heifers, the flies were usually found in near—optimum conditions along the belly midline for each of the three breeds of heifers.

Color Preference of the Horn Fly, Haematobia irritans, on Beef Cattle1

Two methods were employed to investigate animal color Preference by the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). One method consisted of periodically counting the number of flies on 5 red, 5 white, and 5 black heifers confined in an isolated pasture. The second method consisted of dyeing black one side of 5 white animals and periodically counting the number of horn flies on each side. In both tests more horn flies were found on the dark colors than were found on the white.

Field Tests with Low-Level Feeding of Ronnel for Control of Cattle Grubs and Horn Flies

Four groups of Hereford cattle were offered ronnel in a mineral supplement in feed at the recommended level of 7.8 mg./kg./day for 14 days and/or in mineral blocks in pastures. The effects on populations of horn flies ( Haematobia irritans (L.)) and numbers of common cattle grubs ( Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers)) appearing in the animals’ backs were recorded. Group 1 was offered mineral supplement plus mineral blocks, group 2 mineral supplement only, and groups 3 and 4 mineral blocks only. When the mineral supplement containing ronnel was offered, populations of horn flies were reduced throughout the feeding period and for about 1 week thereafter. Consumption of ronnel in mineral block form varied considerably from group to group and from week to week within a group. A level of 3.5 mg/kg/day of ronnel was inadequate to prevent a buildup in the number of horn flies, but some apparent control was obtained with levels as low as 4 mg./kg./day when maintained for periods longer than 1 week. With group 2 only 40% cattle grub control was obtained; with groups 1, 3, and 4, 78-98% control was obtained.