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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374894
Research Project: Improved Surveillance and Control of Stable Flies, House Flies, and Other Filth Flies

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Establishing a method to evaluate the efficacy of compounds aimed at repelling horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) infestations on cattle in a laboratory setting

Author
item SMYTHE, BRANDON - New Mexico State University
item ZEPEDA, RAMON - New Mexico State University
item Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/9/2020
Publication Date: 9/23/2020
Citation: Smythe, B., Zepeda, R., Hogsette, Jr, J.A. 2020. Establishing a method to evaluate the efficacy of compounds aimed at repelling horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) infestations on cattle in a laboratory setting. Journal of Economic Entomology. 113:3011-3016. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa208.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa208

Interpretive Summary: Use of non-pesticidal chemicals to minimize or eliminate horn fly (Haematobia irritans) populations on cattle is key to combating insecticide resistance. One recent approach is the use of natural products with repellent properties against the target pest. The need for a rapid on-animal evaluation system that accounts for both host and pest interactions and bypasses the need for costly multi-year field assessments is needed. The objective of this study was to develop a system to quantify product repellency of horn flies on cattle in a laboratory setting. Animal pair treatment groups were utilized to assess product efficacy and carrier effects across three experimental trials. A treatment solution consisting of 3% geraniol in mineral oil was the natural product repellent. Horn fly populations on animal pairs receiving the geraniol treatment were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when compared with untreated animal pairs. However, animal pairs receiving a mineral oil only treatment showed reduced horn fly populations similar to animals treated with mineral oil plus geraniol. Thus, there was a strong carrier effect that could be difficult to distinguish in the field but was easily observed using laboratory methods.

Technical Abstract: Use of non-pesticidal chemicals to minimize or eliminate horn fly (Haematobia irritans) populations on cattle is key to combating insecticide resistance. One recent approach is the use of natural products with repellent properties against the target pest. The need for a rapid on-animal evaluation system that accounts for both host and pest interactions and bypasses the need for costly multi-year field assessments is needed. The objective of this study was to develop a system to quantify product repellency of horn flies on cattle in a laboratory setting. Animal pair treatment groups were utilized to assess product efficacy and carrier effects across three experimental trials. A treatment solution consisting of 3% geraniol in mineral oil was the natural product repellent. Horn fly populations on animal pairs receiving the geraniol treatment were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when compared with untreated animal pairs. However, animal pairs receiving a mineral oil only treatment showed reduced horn fly populations similar to animals treated with mineral oil plus geraniol. Thus, there was a strong carrier effect that could be difficult to distinguish in the field but was easily observed using laboratory methods.