Welcome to the Knipling-Bushland US. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory!
Research Entomologist Dr. Don Thomas holding a training session for the identification of ticks on livestock.
The LAPRU in collaboration with the Veterinary Pests Genomic Center look to leverage big data solutions to mitigate the economic impact of veterinary pests.
Mission
The mission of the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit of the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory is to provide the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and the Screwworm Eradication Program of USDA-APHIS, the U.S. cattle industry, and the public, innovative systems benefiting from genomics science and remote sensing for the elimination or progressive control of invasive ticks, the New World Screwworm, and blood-feeding flies of veterinary and medical importance by: 1) developing genome knowledge and sustainable treatments to prevent introductions and outbreaks of high-consequence foreign livestock pests like cattle fever ticks and screwworms; 2) creating novel technologies to control ticks and flies parasitizing native and exotic ungulate wildlife interfacing with livestock; 3) translating research into improved genotyping methods and diagnostic techniques to mitigate the burden of pesticide-resistant livestock arthropod pests; and 4) developing integrated management strategies that adapt area-wide and sterile arthropod techniques to rationalize the use of pesticides and enhance livestock production and protection. Research is synergized through collaborative efforts between scientists at the main Laboratory in Kerrville, TX, the Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, which is a satellite facility located at Moore Field, TX, and the Screwworm Research Laboratory that is co-located with the Screwworm Production Facility at Pacora, Panama.