ARS | Publication request: Contact and spatial repellency from catnip essential oil, Nepeta cataria, against stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, and other filth flies

Submitted to: American Chemistry Society Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 8, 2011
Publication Date: June 1, 2012
Citation: Zhu, J.J. 2012. Contact and spatial repellency from catnip essential oil, Nepeta cataria, against stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, and other filth flies. In: Paluch, G.E., Coats, J.R., editors. Recent Developments in Invertebrate Repellents. Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. ACS Symposium Series Vol. 1090. p. 79-96.

Interpretive Summary: The current book chapter described the newly discovered stable fly repellent from catnip oil, which includes feeding repellency, ovipositional deterrency and spatial repellency. It also discusses about the practical applications including oil and water formulation for use in the field conditions on cattle. Finally it touches the toxicity of catnip oil, and compares with other blood-sucking insect repellents.

Technical Abstract: Presenting brief summaries of our significant findings on: 1). Development of an in vitro bioassay for screening/discovering biting fly repellents, 2). Strong repellency found from catnip oil and its ingredient compounds, nepetalactones against four filth fly species; 3). Feeding deterrency, ovipositional deterrency and spatial repellency on stable flies; 4). Development of formulations for field application against stable fly biting on cattle; 5). Lower toxicity for safe use in organic dairy farms.