Development of free-living stages of equine strongyles in faeces on pasture in a tropical environment

The development of the free-living stages and yields of infective third stage strongyle larvae in faeces from a horse with a mixed natural infection deposited on pasture plots were studied over a 2-year period in a coastal area in tropical north Queensland. Two sets of faecal masses (one exposed to, and the other protected from the action of a natural population of dung beetles) were deposited monthly and after 7 days faecal samples were taken for larval recovery and counts. Hatching and development of the free-living stages occurred in faeces on pasture throughout the year. Development was rapid as infective stages were reached within a week of faecal deposition in all months. Yields of infective larvae were affected by the season and the action of dung beetles on the faecal masses. Highest yields were obtained from both beetle-exposed and protected faeces during winter (June to August) and lowest yields were in spring (September to November). High temperatures in spring and summer resulted in low yields of larvae, however, the dry conditions in spring made this season the most unfavourable period. In autumn and winter the temperatures were never low enough to stop or markedly slow down the rate of development, and allowed the development of large numbers of infective larvae. Dung beetle activity was observed throughout the year, and exposed faeces were usually completely dispersed within 24 h of deposition. This resulted in lower yields of infective larvae from these than from protected faeces. Though larval yields were lower, the actual numbers were still substantial so as to cast doubt on the usefulness of these beetles as biological control agents for equine strongylosis in the dry tropics.