THE POTENTIAL OF SOME SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS FOR CONTROL OF THE CATTLE TICK (BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS)

As part of a continuing programme to aid in the development of new acaricides, the potentials of three synthetic pyrethroids, permethrin, cypermethrin and decamethrin, were assessed against a range of resistant strains of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus). The compounds were shown to be acaricidal, with decamethrin the most effective, giving efficient control of susceptible and organo-phosphorus resistant strains of the cattle tick at concentrations as low as one fifth of those previously used for any commercial acaricide. However higher concentrations were required for satisfactory control of the DDT-resistant strain. Permethrin-selection of a field strain containing a low percentage of DDT-resistant ticks led to rapid development of resistance to a level equivalent to that of the DDT-resistant strain. Further selection increased resistance to permethrin to a higher level than that shown in the DDT-resistant strain. This increased resistance to permethrin appears to be restricted mainly to this compound and is not associated with a marked increase in resistance to cypermethrin, decamethrin or DDT. The potential of organo-phosphorus compounds to potentiate the pyrethroids when the two classes of compounds are used as mixtures against the pyrethroid-resistant and susceptible strains was confirmed.     

THE TRANSMISSION OF BABESIA BOVIS IN HERDS OF EUROPEAN AND ZEBU X EUROPEAN CATTLE INFESTED WITH THE TICK, BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS

SUMMARY Transmission of Babesia bovis by the tick Boophilus microplus was studied in 4 breeding herds of European and Zebu x European cattle under different levels of tick infestation. The observations consisted of weekly counts of female ticks on the cattle, monthly serological tests for antibodies to B. bovis, examination of tick larvae from the pasture to determine B. bovis infection rates and comparison of the suitability of paddocks for tick reproduction. The rate of transmission (inoculation rate) was estimated in terms of the daily probability of infection and consisted of the product of the mean daily tick infestation head^-1 and the babesial infection rate in tick larvae. The theoretical value of the minimum inoculation rate required to produce stability of babesiosis is 0.01. This value was exceeded only in a herd of European cattle with minimal tick control and grazing on a pasture favourable for tick reproduction. Instability of babesiosis occurred in the other herds of European cattle after tick numbers had been reduced by pasture spelling and strategic dipping and after reduction in the babesial infection rate in ticks apparently caused by unfavourable environmental conditions. Over a period of years, the tick infection rates also declined as a consequence of the reduction in numbers of ticks. The Zebu x European cattle failed to generate inoculation rates greater than the minimum level, even though no tick control measures were applied. This was attributed to lower babesial infection rates in the ticks than those observed in a comparable herd of European cattle and to the high tick resistance of the Zebu crosses which maintained the tick populations at low levels. Both factors combined to produce a low inoculation rate.     

EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF SYSTEMIC SLOW RELEASE CHEMICAL TREATMENTS FOR CONTROL OF THE CATTLE TICK (BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS) USING IVERMECTIN

SUMMARY Stall and field trials with cattle infested with various acaricide-resistant strains of cattle tick, have demonstrated the potential of ivermectin as a systemic tickicide. A dosage of 200 μg/kg, administered subcutaneously to animals naturally infested in the field, gave satisfactory tick control for 21 days, after an initial lag period of 2 days immediately following treatment, during which significant numbers of ticks survived. Daily subcutaneous treatments, administered so as to simulate slow release, indicated that a dosage of 15 μg/skg/day should give complete tick control if the chemical could be released continuously from a subcutaneous implant. The potency of ivermectin, assessed by in vitro tests against engorged adults, suggests that the tickicidal activity could be associated with the parent compound per se rather than a metabolite.     

日粮中添加乙酸钠对夏季奶牛生理状况和泌乳性能的影响

在夏季高温条件(21-34℃)下,研究日粮中添加乙酸钠对黑白花泌乳牛生理状况和产奶性能的影响。试验按交叉设计在28头泌乳牛上进行,试验期每头每天添喂乙酸钠300克,结果表明:日粮添喂乙酸钠后血浆T_4、T_3,Na~+水平分别从69.18±6.89ng/ml,0.59±0.13ng/ml,127.70±3.88mEg/l增加至72.66±6.80,0.65±0.13 (P<0.01)和130.45±4.88(P<0.05),K~+水平和Pcv未见有明显变化,产奶量及乳脂总分泌量明显增加(P<0.01)。