Location: Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research
Project Number: 3020-32000-018-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2018
End Date: Aug 31, 2023
Objective:
The objectives of this research are in the first two years (1) to test active ingredients (AIs) on the USDA Culicoides colony biting midges, (2) to develop effective application techniques specific to the new AIs that target larval midge behaviors, and in the last three years (3) to bring the AI and technology to the field and evaluate the efficacy on small farms.
Approach:
For the first two years, Kansas State University will work with the USDA to evaluate novel active ingredients for larval mortality and select the most efficient biorational products that can be safely broadcast onto larval habitats. The objective is to develop an environmentally safe larvicide that will be consumed by the larval stages (I-IV instars). Part of the evaluation will be optimizing application techniques to take advantage of larval midge natural habits and feeding patterns. Then the methods will be tested in collaboration with USDA collaborators in Colorado and Florida that have ongoing insect monitoring projects on small farms (bovine, equine, and captive cervid farms). Efficacy will be evaluated based on reductions in target insect populations as evaluated by trap captures on control farms compared to treated farms. Additionally the farms in Colorado are monitored for vesicular stomatitis virus and in Florida for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and blue tongue virus. Therefore, virus transmission reduction may also be evaluated on an opportunistic basis.
