Age determination and age structure of a striped fieldmouse,Rhabdomys pumilio,population from the Cape Flats

The validity of predicting the age of Rhabdomys pumilio by age-related changes in tooth appearance, dimensions and position, in body mass and head-body length is tested against 47 known-age mice. Body mass can be used to determine the age of individuals of less than 7 weeks old (≤ 26 g). Thereafter, the only reliable technique of age determination Involves a visual evaluation of the degree of molar tooth wear. Five wear classes are described and used to assess the age of 780 R. pumilio collected during a five-year period. The annual cycles of population age structure and size were dependent on seasonal recruitment and were Influenced by the duration of the peak breeding period. The growth rate, especially of females, is reduced in winter, and maturity appears to be delayed until spring, when breeding commences.     

Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the curative treatment of blowfly strikes in sheep

SUMMARY A jetting fluid containing 7.5% w/v ivermectin, which was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL in water and applied using a standard hand jetting technique, was assessed for its efficacy in treating blowfly strikes on Merino sheep. Strikes were induced on sheep held under insectary conditions using laboratory-reared Lucilia cuprina. All struck sheep jetted at 28,48 or 72 hours after exposure to flies were successfully treated. All 1st, 2nd and early 3rd instar larvae were killed within 24 hours of treatment.     

Effects of preboiling on the acidity and strength properties of heat-treated wood

Heat treatment is an alternative to the chemical treatment in wood preservation, which has been used to some extent in improving timber quality. However, reduction in strength properties has been one of the major limitations in the use of this technique and therefore investigations on the use of various pre-treatment methods are highly essential. Wood samples from Scots pine were immersed in already boiling water (100°C) for 20 min followed by 2 h of heat treatment at 160 and 200°C. The acidity and strength properties were determined by measurement of pH and static bending test, respectively. There were no significant changes in pH due to preboiling in both heat-treated and untreated wood. Similarly, preboiling did not result in any appreciable differences in strength both before heat treatment and during heat treatment at 160°C. However, for 200°C heat treatment preboiling reduced significantly the degree of strength loss as indicated by 19.4% reduction in modulus of rupture in preboiled wood compared to 26.6% reduction in unpreboiled wood. From the results of this study it is evident that preboiling has a buffering effect on wood during heat treatment and the higher the intensity of heat treatment the higher the significance of the buffering effect of pre-boiling.     

Sorption, degradation and leaching of the fungicide iprodione in a golf green under Scandinavian conditions: measurements, modelling and risk assessment

In cold climates, fungicides are used on golf greens to prevent snow mould causing serious damage to the turf. However, fungicide residues have been detected in runoff from golf courses, which may lead to restrictions on use. There is therefore an urgent need to improve understanding of the processes affecting leaching of fungicides from turfgrass systems to allow identification of green construction and management practices that minimize environmental impacts. In this study we monitored the leaching of the fungicide iprodione in a putting green. Sorption and degradation of iprodione was measured in batch and incubation experiments, and the simulation model MACRO was used as a risk assessment tool. Degradation of iprodione was bi-phasic, with a rapid initial phase (half-life 17 h) caused by enhanced biodegradation. Degradation rates slowed considerably after 5 days, with half-lives of up to 38 days. Sorption of iprodione was linear, with a K(oc) value of ca 400 cm(3) g(-1). MACRO reasonably accurately matched measured drainflows and concentrations of iprodione in soil and drainflow. However, peak concentrations in drainage were underestimated, which was attributed to preferential finger flow due to water repellency. The results also showed the importance of the organic matter content in the green root zone in reducing leaching. It was concluded that, with 'reasonable worst-case' use, losses of iprodione from greens can occur at concentrations exceeding water quality limits for aquatic ecosystems. Snow mould problems should be tackled by adopting green root zone mixes that minimize leaching and 'best management practices' that would avoid the need for intensive prophylactic use of fungicides.     

The efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for control of blowfly strike on sheep under field conditions

SUMMARY Seventeen trials involving 5737 sheep were conducted to test the efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid (30 ppm in water) for the control of blowfly strike when applied to sheep either by standard hand jetting or through an automatic jetting race. Sheep were observed for up to 14 weeks after treatment and all strikes recorded. The level of fly challenge varied between trials, resulting in strike rates in untreated sheep ranging between 0 and 94%. At 12 weeks after treatment there were 93% fewer strikes in hand jetted sheep and 84% fewer strikes in machine jetted sheep when compared with untreated sheep. At this time point there was a 90%, 86% and 93% reduction in poll, body and breech strikes, respectively, when hand jetting was used, whereas machine jetting reduced poll, body, breech and pizzle strikes by 84%, 81%, 79% and 100%, respectively.     

Studies on preweaning piglet diarrhoea

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to determine the cause and risk factors Involved in preweaning piglet diarrhoea. Faecal samples from 2380 diarrhoeic piglets, 5 to 30 days of age, were examined for enteropathogens. Isospora suls oocysts were detected in 53.8% of samples, Escherichia coll in 18.2% and rotavirus in 16.9%. I suis had the widest distribution, being present on 70.9% of 151 piggeries. The onset of diarrhoea occurred mainly between 7 and 14 days (77.5%), peaking at 10 days. Records of 4086 litters from two intensive piggeries were analysed and showed no seasonal variation or effect of sow parity on the incidence of piglet diarrhoea. I suis was the most common enteropathogen associated with diarrhoea in piglets from 5 days of age until weaning.     

Synthesis and insecticidal properties of ether analogues of DDT-pyrethroids

Twenty-seven ethers which are structural analogues of DDT-pyrethroid insecticides have been synthesised. Bioassay data for these compounds against Lucilia cuprina, Blatella germanica and Heliothis punctigera are presented and the structure-activity relationships (SAR) discussed. The SAR of the new series of ether analogues are compared and contrasted to those of their parent DDT-pyrethroid compounds.