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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #431971
Research Project: Management Strategies for Invasive Aphid Pests of Cereals

Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit

Title: Development and validation of a binomial sequential sampling plan for the horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) in pastured cattle

Author
item DI AGOSTINO, ASHLEY - Oklahoma State University
item GILES, KRISTOPHER - Oklahoma State University
item CROSSWHITE, MELLISSA - Oklahoma State University
item CAMMACK, JONATHON - Oklahoma State University
item Elliott, Norman
item TALLEY, JUSTIN - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/2026
Publication Date: 8/19/2026
Citation: Di Agostino, A., Giles, K.L., Crosswhite, M., Cammack, J., Elliott, N.C., Talley, J. 2026. Development and validation of a binomial sequential sampling plan for the horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) in pastured cattle. Journal of Economic Entomology. Article toag242. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag242.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag242

Interpretive Summary: The horn fly is a serious economic insect pest of cattle and the serious losses to producers warrant development of sampling methods to inform cattle producers of the need for management action to control the pest. This research was done to develop sampling methods for use by cattle producers. Field developed relationships between horn fly presence above acceptable numbers and number of cattle inspected were developed and validated with independent field data. Sampling requirements for making management decisions were low, indicating a high probability of adoption for a sampling program. The study is important because is the first to develop and validate a binomial sequential sampling plan for horn fly on cattle in pasture settings. Implementation of this efficient plan has the potential for major economic returns from horn fly management.

Technical Abstract: The horn fly (Haematobia irritans) (L.) is an extensive economic pest to cattle and annual high infestations warrant the development of sampling procedures to inform management practices for cattle producers. There is little research on developing a sampling plan for the horn fly and a binomial sequential sampling (BSS) plan offers a potentially efficient method for the classification of pest density. Analyses of horn fly counts within and among cattle across different pastures were quantified from 2023-2024. Taylor’s Power Law (TPL) regressions indicated that the spatial distribution of horn flies is highly aggregated on cattle, and density estimation models based on the proportion of animals infested above selected tally thresholds revealed strong predictive relationships. A tally threshold of 350 horn flies/animal resulted in the strongest relationship for all herd types (R2 = 0.92). These relationships were validated with independent field data, and Wald’s sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) was used to develop upper and lower sequential sampling stop lines based on ratios of infested cattle equating to estimated economic thresholds. Sampling plans were further validated, using resampling validation software, and average sample numbers along with operating characteristics among ET’s were calculated. Sampling requirements for management decisions were low, indicating a high probability of adoption for our sampling program. This study is the first to develop and validate a binomial sequential sampling plan for H. irritans on cattle in pasture settings and implementation of this efficient plan has the potential for major economic returns from horn fly management.