RESUMO

Haematobia irritans is an obligate bloodsucking ectoparasite of cattle and is the global major pest of livestock production. Currently, H. irritans management is largely dependent upon broad-spectrum pesticides, which lately has led to the development of insecticide resistance. Thus, alternative control methods are necessary. Endophyte-infected grasses have been studied as an alternative due to their capability to biosynthesize alkaloids associated with anti-insect activities. Thus, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the antifeedant and repellent activity of lolines obtained from endophyte-infected tall fescue against H. irritans adults in laboratory conditions. The alkaloid extract (ALKE) was obtained by acid-base extraction. N-formyl loline (NFL) and N-acetyl loline (NAL) were isolated by preparative thin layer chromatography (pTLC) and column chromatography (CC), and the loline was prepared by acid hydrolysis of a NFL/NAL mixture. Loline identification was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Feeding behavior was evaluated by a non-choice test, and olfactory response was evaluated using a Y-tube olfactometer. Accordingly, all samples showed antifeedant activities. NFL was the most antifeedant compound at 0.5 µg/µL and 1.0 µg/µL, and it was statistically equal to NAL but different to loline; however, NAL was not statistically different to loline. NFL and NAL at 0.25 µg/µL were more active than loline. All samples except loline exhibited spatial repellency in the olfactometer. Thus, the little or non-adverse effects for cattle and beneficial activities of those lolines make them suitable candidates for horn fly management.

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The determination of necrophagous fly specie's development time is considered an accurate method for estimating postmortem interval (PMI). However, pesticides and other chemicals can alter the flies' life cycle, inducing errors in PMI estimation. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of Terbufos (Organophosphates) on the temporal dispersion pattern and development of immature dipterans associated with decaying rat carcasses. For this, 150 g female Wistar rats received, via gavage, 200 µl of Terbufos (5 or 10 mg/kg) or distilled water (control) and, after 30 min of administration, the animals were euthanized and distributed in suspended traps to decompose under environmental conditions. The dispersing immatures were collected daily, and their development time was monitored until the emergence of adult flies. After data analysis, it was observed that Terbufos altered 1) the temporal pattern of larval dispersion; 2) the composition and structure of the colonizing assemblage (emerged adults); 3) species' development time, accelerating or delaying their cycle, depending on the dose used; and 4) the califorids and sarcophagids emergence rate, increasing the mortality of pupae from intoxicated carcasses. Thus, this work demonstrates experimentally that Terbufos directly influences the development of flies with forensic potential and discusses the implications for PMI estimation, which can assist in future investigative processes with suspected poisoning by this organophosphate.

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Abstract Population explosions of the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) have become a serious concern for livestock producers near sugarcane mills in some regions of Brazil due to the insect's massive reproduction on sugarcane byproducts and waste. Despite the limited efficiency of insecticides for controlling stable fly outbreaks, producers still rely on chemical control to mitigate the alarming infestations in affected areas. This study evaluated the susceptibility of S. calcitrans populations to cypermethrin in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Stable flies were tested from three field populations and two colonies, established from flies previously collected at sugarcane mills. Wild flies were collected with Nzi traps in areas of sugarcane plantations. Both wild and colonized flies were exposed to eleven concentrations of cypermethrin in impregnated filter paper bioassays. All the populations proved to be resistant to cypermethrin, with resistance factors among field populations ranging from 6.8 to 38.6. The intensive use of insecticides has led to the development of pyrethroid resistance in stable fly populations in the proximities of sugarcane mills in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Resumo Explosões populacionais da mosca-dos-estábulos (Stomoxys calcitrans) tornaram-se uma séria preocupação para a pecuária próxima a usinas de cana-de-açúcar em algumas regiões do Brasil, devido à massiva reprodução da mosca em resíduos e subprodutos do processamento da cana. Apesar da limitada eficiência dos inseticidas no controle dos surtos desta mosca, produtores dependem do controle químico para mitigar as alarmantes infestações nas áreas afetadas. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a suscetibilidade de populações de S. calcitrans a piretroides no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Moscas-dos-estábulos de três populações de campo e duas colônias, estabelecidas a partir de moscas previamente coletadas em usinas de cana-de-açúcar, foram testadas. Moscas selvagens foram coletadas com armadilhas Nzi em áreas de cana. Moscas coletadas foram expostas a onze concentrações de cipermetrina em bioensaios com papel de filtro impregnado. Todas as populações testadas mostraram-se resistentes ao piretroide, com fatores de resistência variando de 6,8 a 38,6 nas populações de campo. O uso intensivo de inseticidas tem levado ao desenvolvimento de resistência da mosca-dos-estábulos a piretroides em populações próximas a usinas de cana-de-açúcar no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Population explosions of the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) have become a serious concern for livestock producers near sugarcane mills in some regions of Brazil due to the insect's massive reproduction on sugarcane byproducts and waste. Despite the limited efficiency of insecticides for controlling stable fly outbreaks, producers still rely on chemical control to mitigate the alarming infestations in affected areas. This study evaluated the susceptibility of S. calcitrans populations to cypermethrin in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Stable flies were tested from three field populations and two colonies, established from flies previously collected at sugarcane mills. Wild flies were collected with Nzi traps in areas of sugarcane plantations. Both wild and colonized flies were exposed to eleven concentrations of cypermethrin in impregnated filter paper bioassays. All the populations proved to be resistant to cypermethrin, with resistance factors among field populations ranging from 6.8 to 38.6. The intensive use of insecticides has led to the development of pyrethroid resistance in stable fly populations in the proximities of sugarcane mills in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

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Pesticides are used worldwide to control arthropod parasites in cattle herds. The indiscriminate and/or inappropriate use of pesticides without veterinary guidance is a reality in several countries of South America. Improper pesticide use increases the chances of contamination of food and the environment with chemical pesticides and their metabolites. Reduction of these contamination events is an increasing challenge for those involved in livestock production. The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae), is one of the most economically important parasites affecting cattle herds around the world. As such, horn fly control efforts are often required to promote the best productive performance of herds. Pesticide susceptibility bioassays revealed that pyrethroid resistance was widespread and reached high levels in horn fly populations in the Brazilian state of Rondônia. The knockdown resistance (kdr) sodium channel gene mutation was detected in all horn fly populations studied (n = 48), and the super kdr sodium channel gene mutation was found in all homozygous resistant kdr individuals (n = 204). Organophosphate resistance was not identified in any of the fly populations evaluated.

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This study involved two field trials with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of diflubenzuron, via mineral supplementation, against Haematobia irritans parasitizing cattle. Concomitantly with the main trial, a stall test was conducted to ascertain the effects of a different formulation with the same active ingredient against Rhipicephalus microplus, along with the action of diflubenzuron on the reproductive parameters of R. microplusfemales that had naturally detached from cattle. Against H. irritans, it was observed that the efficacy indexes fordiflubenzuron were low (≤ 31.3% or 44.6%) or null (0.0%) throughout the study. The anti- R. microplus efficacy of diflubenzuron, at weekly intervals, ranged from 0.0 to 13.7% over the entire experimental period. Null efficacy (0.0%) was registered for diflubenzuron in relation to the reproductive parameters of R. microplusfemales that had naturally detached from cattle. The different diflubenzuron formulations, administered via mineral salt supplementation, did not show satisfactory efficacy indexes against H. irritans and R. microplus parasitizing cattle, within the experimental design of the present study. In addition, this agent did not present any deleterious effects on the reproductive parameters of R. microplus females.

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Abstract This study involved two field trials with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of diflubenzuron, via mineral supplementation, against Haematobia irritans parasitizing cattle. Concomitantly with the main trial, a stall test was conducted to ascertain the effects of a different formulation with the same active ingredient against Rhipicephalus microplus, along with the action of diflubenzuron on the reproductive parameters of R. microplusfemales that had naturally detached from cattle. Against H. irritans, it was observed that the efficacy indexes fordiflubenzuron were low (≤ 31.3% or 44.6%) or null (0.0%) throughout the study. The anti- R. microplus efficacy of diflubenzuron, at weekly intervals, ranged from 0.0 to 13.7% over the entire experimental period. Null efficacy (0.0%) was registered for diflubenzuron in relation to the reproductive parameters of R. microplusfemales that had naturally detached from cattle. The different diflubenzuron formulations, administered via mineral salt supplementation, did not show satisfactory efficacy indexes against H. irritans and R. microplus parasitizing cattle, within the experimental design of the present study. In addition, this agent did not present any deleterious effects on the reproductive parameters of R. microplus females.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do diflubenzuron, administrado via suplementação mineral, contra Haematobia irritans parasitando bovinos, em dois testes à campo. Concomitantemente, foi realizado testes em estábulo para determinar os efeitos de uma formulação diferente, com o mesmo princípio ativo, contra Rhipicephalus microplus , bem como a ação do diflubenzuron nos parâmetros reprodutivos de fêmeas de R. microplus recolhidas após desprendimento natural do hospedeiro bovino. Contra H. irritans, foi observado que foram baixos (≤ 31,3% ou 44,6%) ou nulos (0,0%) os índices de eficácia do diflubenzuron. A eficácia anti-R. microplus do diflubenzuron, observada em intervalos semanais, variaram de 0,0% a 13,7% durante todo o período experimental. Com relação aos parâmetros reprodutivos das fêmeas de R. microplus recolhidas, foi observada eficácia nula (0,0%) para o diflubenzuron. Conclui-se que as diferentes formulações administradas via sal mineral no atual estudo, contra H. irritans e R. microplus parasitando bovinos, não apresentaram eficácia satisfatória. Este agente também não mostrou efeito deletério sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos de fêmeas de R. microplus.

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Invasive alien parasites and pathogens are a growing threat to biodiversity worldwide, which can contribute to the extinction of endemic species. On the Galápagos Islands, the invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi poses a major threat to the endemic avifauna. Here, we investigated the influence of this parasite on the breeding success of two Darwin's finch species, the warbler finch (Certhidea olivacea) and the sympatric small tree finch (Camarhynchus parvulus), on Santa Cruz Island in 2010 and 2012. While the population of the small tree finch appeared to be stable, the warbler finch has experienced a dramatic decline in population size on Santa Cruz Island since 1997. We aimed to identify whether warbler finches are particularly vulnerable during different stages of the breeding cycle. Contrary to our prediction, breeding success was lower in the small tree finch than in the warbler finch. In both species P. downsi had a strong negative impact on breeding success and our data suggest that heavy rain events also lowered the fledging success. On the one hand parents might be less efficient in compensating their chicks' energy loss due to parasitism as they might be less efficient in foraging on days of heavy rain. On the other hand, intense rainfalls might lead to increased humidity and more rapid cooling of the nests. In the case of the warbler finch we found that the control of invasive plant species with herbicides had a significant additive negative impact on the breeding success. It is very likely that the availability of insects (i.e. food abundance)is lower in such controlled areas, as herbicide usage led to the removal of the entire understory. Predation seems to be a minor factor in brood loss.

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This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal and repellent effects of tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), and andiroba, Carapa guianensis (Sapindales: Meliaceae), essential oils on two species of fly. For in vitro studies, free-living adult flies were captured and reared in the laboratory. To evaluate the insecticidal effects of the oils, adult flies of Haematobia irritans (L.) and Musca domestica L. (both: Diptera: Muscidae) were separated by species in test cages (n = 10 per group), and subsequently tested with oils at concentrations of 1.0% and 5.0% using a negative control to validate the test. Both oils showed insecticidal activity. Tea tree oil at a concentration of 5.0% was able to kill M. domestica with 100.0% efficacy after 12 h of exposure. However, the effectiveness of andiroba oil at a concentration of 5.0% was only 67.0%. The insecticidal efficacy (100.0%) of both oils against H. irritans was observed at both concentrations for up to 4 h. The repellency effects of the oils at concentrations of 5.0% were tested in vivo on Holstein cows naturally infested by H. irritans. Both oils demonstrated repellency at 24 h, when the numbers of flies on cows treated with tea tree and andiroba oil were 61.6% and 57.7%, respectively, lower than the number of flies on control animals. It is possible to conclude that these essential oils have insecticidal and repellent effects against the species of fly used in this study.

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Introduced parasites are a threat to biodiversity when naïve hosts lack effective defenses against such parasites [1]. Several parasites have recently colonized the Galápagos Islands, threatening native bird populations [2]. For example, the introduced parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) has been implicated in the decline of endangered species of Darwin's finches, such as the mangrove finch (Camarhynchus heliobates) [3]. Here, we show that Darwin's finches can be encouraged to 'self-fumigate' nests with cotton fibers that have been treated with permethrin. Nests with permethrin-treated cotton had significantly fewer P. downsi than control nests, and nests containing at least one gram of cotton were virtually parasite-free. Nests directly fumigated with permethrin had fewer parasites and fledged more offspring than nests treated with water.

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