The use of irradiated embryos of Chrysomya bezziana for the detection of the Old World screw-worm fly

Irradiation of Chrysomya bezziana embryos 1 h before hatching with doses less than or equal to 7 kilorad (kr) had a significant effect on percentage egg hatch, weights and survival of larvae. Doses greater than or equal to 1 kr allowed larval development to the end of the 3rd instar stage in vitro, but prevented normal pupal development. Cattle with wounds infested with 1st instar larvae derived from irradiated embryos had 3rd instar larvae present after 3 d but these failed to pupate. Thus it would be feasible to use such larvae for wound infestation for the enhanced detection of screw-worm fly in areas where the release of fertile flies is undesirable.     

Efficacy of macrocyclic lactones for the control of larvae of the Old World screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of four macrocyclic lactones for the control of larvae of the Old World Screw-worm Fly (OWS), Chrysomya bezziana, and to examine the effects of excreted residues on the dung fauna. ANIMALS: 100 heifers were divided into five groups of 20 animals. One group remained untreated, whereas the other groups were treated respectively with pour-on formulations of moxidectin, eprinomectin or doramectin, or a sustained-release bolus of ivermectin. PROCEDURES: At intervals of 1 to 15 weeks after treatment, five cattle from each group were challenged with newly-laid eggs of OWS. The efficacy of each treatment was determined 48 h later by comparing the number of myiases in the treated and untreated groups. Abundance of fly larvae in naturally-voided dung pads and the survival of a species of dung beetle, Onthophagus sagittarius, were used to assess the effects of drug residues on the dung fauna. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Moxidectin showed no activity against larvae of OWS during the first 14 days after treatment. Eprinomectin provided protection for 3 days after dosing, but failed at days 7 and 14, whereas doramectin was effective at day 7, but not at days 14 or 21. In contrast, no myiases were established on bolus-treated cattle from 14 to 102 days after treatment. Faecal residues of moxidectin had no effect on the survival of larvae of dung-feeding flies, whereas those of eprinomectin and doramectin reduced survival for 1 to 2 weeks. Dung voided by bolus-treated cattle inhibited fly breeding and had adverse effects on the development and survival of O sagittarius for up to 15 weeks after treatment.     

The efficacy of insecticides against the screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana)

A number of insecticides used for ectoparasite control in the livestock industry were screened for their efficacy against larvae of the screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, using in vivo and laboratory tests. Proprietary screw-worm fly treatments (after exposure to outdoor conditions for up to 10 days) were also tested against eggs and adults of C bezziana. Three of these were also evaluated on naturally acquired screw-worm infestations. Residual protection was generally of short duration. Among the organophosphorus compounds, the most effective formulations contained relatively high concentrations (3 to 4% al) of coumaphos, 2.5% fenchlorphos or low concentrations (0.05 to 0.5% al) of diazinon, chlorfenvinphos and fenthion methyl. Two chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides containing 3% lindane and 5% dieldrin were very effective but are now prohibited for use in Australia. Preparations had serious deficiencies when used under field conditions, especially for treating large, deepseated myiases for which systemic insecticides are recommended. A comparison of methods demonstrated that a laboratory test could supersede live animal experimentation, at least for the initial screening of potential insecticides.     

Use of insecticides to control screw-worm fly strike by Chrysomya bezziana in cattle

Some insecticides to control and prevent screw-worm fly strike by Chrysomya bezziana in calves and adult cattle were tested in field trials on cattle in Sabah, East Malaysia. Ivermectin injected subcutaneously in newborn calves at 200 mu/kg provided 10 days protection from screw-worm fly strike, which allowed navels to dry. Ivermectin, 1% dichlofenthion plus gentian violet and 3% lindane plus pine oil smear were all effective in preventing re-strike of treated wounds in adult cattle. A single subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at 200 mu/kg was effective, whereas it was necessary to re-apply the dichlofenthion and lindane smear preparations every 48h.     

The efficacy of ivermectin against larvae of the screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana)

An in vitro technique for screening systemic insecticides against larvae of the screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana is described. Susceptibilities of screw-worm larvae of different ages to ivermectin (MK-933) were determined. Based on 24 h larval mortality, the LD50 of 1-,2-,3-,4- and 5-day larvae was 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.2 and 0.4 ppm of ivermectin. LD50 based on adult emergence following treatment of 4- and 5-day larvae was 0.02 and 0.05 ppm. The LD99.9 for 4-day larvae based on 24 h larval mortality and adult emergence was 11.0 and 0.15 ppm respectively and for 5-day larvae, was 44.3 and 0.4 ppm respectively. Pen and field trials with cattle infested with screw-worm fly demonstrated the potential of ivermectin as a systemic insecticide. Dosages of 50, 100 and 200 micrograms/kg, of ivermectin administered subcutaneously to experimentally infested cattle gave complete control for 6, 12 and 14 days respectively. Ivermectin at 200 micrograms/kg caused 100% mortality of screw-worm larvae up to 2 days old at the time of treatment with 70, 64 and 21% mortality of 3-, 4- and 5-day old larvae at the time of treatment. The residual protection from a single dose of 200 micrograms/kg was 16 to 20 days. When bull calves were treated with ivermectin at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg at the time of castration and branding, none of the 77 treated animals sustained a screw-worm strike in the scrotal area compared with 47 strikes (44%) in the 106 control cattle.     

Retrospective study of Old World screwworm fly (Chrysomya bezziana) myiasis in 59 dogs in Hong Kong over a one year period

This retrospective study examined the case records of Old World screw-worm fly myiasis in dogs in Hong Kong's New Territories. Myiasis due to OWSWF was identified and treated in 59 dogs at our clinic over a period of 1 year. Signalment, causes of initial wound, and treatments implemented, are reported. All cases recovered from myiasis with a combination of larvae removal and wound debridement, antibiotics, and topical and systemic insecticides. Whilst this parasite is currently exotic to Australia, much of the country is environmentally suitable (tropical and subtropical) for establishment of OWSWF.     

Spread in South Africa of the Oriental latrine fly Chrysomya megacephala. (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), an introduced species closely resembling Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve.

Chrysomya megacephala, also known as the Oriental latrine fly, is indigenous to south-east Asia. During the 1970's it successfully invaded Africa and South America, and more recently during the 1980's also established itself in the United States of America. Although the first specimens from South Africa were collected from the south-western Cape Province in 1978, no published data appears to exist on its subsequent spread or status in southern Africa. During May 1991 a specimen of C. megacephala was incidentally captured near Beaufort West, Cape Province, South Africa, which prompted re-examination of blow-flies captured in the Kruger National Park during 1984. In this way it was found that C. megacephala was already well established in the south-eastern Transvaal by mid-1984. Adult C. megacephala can easily be confused with C. bezziana and medical/veterinary entomologists and veterinarians should take note of the existence of this species and the fact that it is probably widespread throughout southern Africa at this state.     

The screwworm fly in Libya: a threat to the livestock industry of the Old World

The screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), is the most serious insect pest of cattle in the New World. It has recently been recorded in Libya, where it appears to have become established. This article documents these recent finds, and provides background information on the recognition of the fly, its biology, distribution and importance.     

A re-evaluation of the phylogeny of Old World Treefrogs

No consensus has yet been reached concerning Old World treefrog systematics. Competing hypotheses are based on differing and sometimes conflicting methodologies. I use cladistic methodology to reanalyse the data from the two most important recent studies. Two monophyletic groups result; Rhacophoridae and Hyperoliidae. Seven subfamilies are recognized; six are monophyletic (Hyperoliidae: Hyperoliinae, Kassininae, Leptopelinae, Tachycneminae; Rhacophoridae: Buergeriinae, Mantellinae), while the Rhacophorinae are polyphyletic. The taxonomic changes from the standard Amphibian Species of the World (Frost 1985) proposed are: Acanthixalus is removed from the Leptopelinae and placed in the Hyperoliinae. Tachycnemis is removed from the Hyperoliinae and placed in its own subfamily, Tachycneminae. Opisthothylax is removed from the Hyperoliinae and placed in the Kassininae. Afrixalus and Kassinula are removed from the Kassininae and placed in the Hyperoliinae. Aglyptodactylus is removed from the Rhacophorinae and placed in the Mantellinae. Buergeria is placed in the subfamily Buergeriinae. The Mantellinae, previously in the Ranidae, is demonstrated to be a subfamily within the Rhacophoridae. The biogeography of the group is interpreted in terms of a simplified area cladogram. The most parsimonius vicariance hypothesis proposes that the stock leading to the Hyperoliidae and Rhacophoridae existed before Pangaea broke up. The sequence of fragmentation events leading to the present-day distribution started with the Seychelles, then Asia split from Africa+Madagascar, and finally Africa and Madagascar separated.