Progress 09/15/03 to 09/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: North Carolina cattle pastures support a diverse population of dung beetles representing over 15 species. Among these, the tunneling beetle Onthophagus taurus, predominates. The direct impact of O. taurus on soil richness and plant yield in a simulated rotational pasture grazing system was also evaluated. Beetle activity significantly increased the yield of sudan grass and ryegrass over the dung-only treatment and control. Increased yields were directly correlated to dung beetle activity causing increased levels of phosphorus, potassium and total nitrogen in the three soil types examined. NC further conducted laboratory and an area-wide field study for control of horn flies using the insect growth regulator, methoprene, to determine its non-target effects on dung beetle populations while achieving fly control. Laboratory bioassays indicated that methoprene administered at the labeled rate of 0.08 ppm for fly control was not toxic to O. taurus. In the field studies the IGR
was formulated in mineral supplements and given to cattle ad libitum. Mean horn fly densities were significantly lower for the treated animals, 19.57 plus/minus 10.04 per animal, compared to 100.91 plus/minus 50.32 and 467.54 plus/minus 140.29 for two control groups. Methoprene treatments did not appear to have a negative effect on common dung beetle species. Additional costs of adding IGR to the mineral mixture and other fly control measures were monitored. In a New York survey of beetles (Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Hydrophilidae, and Histeridae) in dairy cattle manure from pastures. Aphodius species, specifically A. granarius, A. haemorrhoidalis, and A. stercorus, were most numerous. A total of 11,708 adult dung beetles, representing 17 species were collected. The data from this survey was very similar to that of the 1969 NY Valiela study, except for the presence of O. taurus. This species was introduced into Florida from the Middle East and Europe in 1970. Therefore, its
distribution has expanded since 1969 and now includes NY. A self-contained, automatic pesticide sprayer was tested. 40 % fewer face flies were observed on the treated herds as compared to untreated herds. Furthermore, 73 % fewer stable flies were observed on the treated herds. Epps Biting Fly traps and Horse Pal traps were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in capturing horse, deer and stable flies. Both traps were very effective in catching horse flies (26 species) and stable flies. At one farm over 10,000 horse flies were collected in 2 EPPS traps during one fly season. A newly designed NZI trap (Foil Target) was also evaluated to determine its effectiveness in killing stable flies. The results of this project have been and will continue to be disseminated at extension meetings in NC and NY, at national and regional ESA meetings, at Livestock Insect Workers' Conferences and at regional IPM meetings. Scientific publications will be prepared along with extension fact sheets.
The pest management information generated will also be available on the NC and NY veterinary entomology and state IPM websites.
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Wes Watson in the Department of Entomology at North Carolina State University was our collaborator on this project in North Carolina. His Project Termination Report for this multi-state project is included in our New York Project Termination Report.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Conventional and organic dairy and beef producers.
Impacts
Our studies identified practical, cost-effective, environmentally sensitive and readily adoptable management options that will aid dairy and beef cattle producers, both conventional and organic, in reducing the significant deleterious impact (reduced milk production, weight gain, disease, etc.) of pasture flies (face, horn, stable, and horse flies) on their cattle. Furthermore, as the Food Quality Protection Act fosters a reexamination of pesticides, animal agriculture, which has already lost many pesticides, will likely lose most of their currently remaining non-pyrethroid products over the next few years, thus making this IPM research and extension project even more critical to our extremely important dairy industry. Dung burying beetles play an extremely valuable role in pasture ecosystem sustainability by reducing pasture fouling, nitrogen volatilization, parasitism and pest flies, with averted losses estimated at $0.38 billion (Losey and Vaughan 2006). In the NC
study dung beetle activity clearly demonstrated a benefit to pasture yields that translates into more forage for the cattle. Although dung beetles compete with pasture flies for dung resources they lack the advantage of a short lifecycle and have a lower reproductive potential. As a result, additional measures must often be implemented to manage fly populations including insecticides. Insecticides excreted into the dung may have a negative impact on dung beetles. The NC study demonstrated that methoprene controlled horn flies with no measurable impacts on dung beetles. A total of 1340 cattle were treated at a cost of $1966 for methoprene with per animal costs of $1.47 for 120 days. Additional insecticide inputs for face fly control with a pour on pyrethroid was $657 for a total pasture fly control cost of $1.96 per animal for the season. NY dairy farmers were especially impressed with animal response to the automatic pesticide sprayers and the resultant improved animal grazing
behavior. The addition of leg insecticide applications to the automated sprayer showed great promise of ridding cattle of the painful impact of stable flies. Farmers on treated farms all commented that they noticed fewer flies and resultant improved animal behavior (less bunching, calmer demeanor and more grazing) in their herds. Epps Biting Fly traps and Horse Pal traps have been proven effective for pasture fly control, particularly for horse flies and stable flies. As a result, many dairy and beef farmers are now purchasing and/or making these traps for use on their pastures and around their buildings. Newly designed NZI traps (Foil targets) also show considerable promise for stable fly management on pastured cattle. Furthermore, a solid farmer understanding of the presence, diversity, and importance of indigenous dung beetle populations provides extremely valuable information for sustainable, long-term management of horn flies and face flies on pastured dairy and beef cattle.
Publications
- M. A. Bertone, J. T. Green, S. P. Washburn, M. H. Poore, and D. W. Watson. 2006. The contribution of paracoprid dung beetles to pasture soil nutrition. Plant Management Network. Forage and Grazinglands. DOI 10.1094 FG-2006-711-02-RS.
- Lastro, E. 2007. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae) in the North Carolina pasture ecosystem. MS thesis. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ETD-db/ETD
- Pimsler, M. 2007. A survey of the dung beetles in cattle manure on pastures of an organic and a conventional dairy farm in New York State. B.S. Research Honors Thesis.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The face fly and horn fly are the predominant arthropod pests of pastured cattle in the US. In recent years, the stable fly has also emerged as a serious threat of pastured cattle. These flies as well as the horse flies form a diverse and difficult to manage pest complex that significantly impacts pastured dairy and beef cattle. The pending removal of several of the handful of remaining insecticides registered for pasture fly control will create a crisis for the U.S. dairy and beef industries. An effective integrated approach to address this pest complex is crucial. Therefore, we are continuing to evaluate new trapping technologies against stable and horse flies and a recently developed face and stable fly targeted-application automatic sprayer utilizing a pyrethroid formulation. We are also developing effective rearing techniques for the beetle parasitoid, Aleochara tristis, and plan to evaluate its impact on pasture fly populations. Newly designed NZI traps (Foil
targets), Epps traps and Horse Pal traps have been tested to evaluate their effectivness in capturing/killing horse flies and stable flies. We will continue to evaluate the Foil targets and have learned that the location and number of the targets and their proximity to the animals are the keys to the target overall success. In addition, the Epps and Horse Pal traps continue to show great promise. Organic dairy farmers in particular have shown considerable interest in these traps as a cost-effective and acceptable method of controlling flies on their animals. Our program presented preliminary data and general information on these traps at a local Organic Farm Days to approximately 60 enthusiastic organic growers. A self-contained, automatic pesticide sprayer was also tested. This sprayer was modified with additional nozzles that specifically targeted animal legs for stable fly control. A colony of the parasitoid A. tristis is being maintained at Cornell University. Rearing of this
parasitoid colony has not been as successful as anticipated, but we are continuing to research potential rearing techniques. We have also initiated a dung beetle survey in dairy cattle pasture systems to determine the relative number and species diversity of the beetles that can serve as predators or competitors of face and horn flies. From the 160 core sample taken from each of two farms, 11,298 beetles were collected with 6710 coming from one farm and 4588 from the other. Four beetle genera have been identified to date, with not all of the samples fully processed. Aphodius and Sphaeridium species were most commonly collected of those that have been identified.
Impacts
Our studies ccontinue to identify practical, cost-effective and readily adoptable solutions that will aid dairy and beef cattle producers in reducing the significant impact of pasture flies on their cattle. Producers are especially impressed with animal response to the modified automatic sprayers and the resultant improved animal grazing behavior. The addition of leg applications shows great promise of ridding cattle of the painful impact of stable flies. On average, the control herds had about twice the average number of stable flies than the treated cattle. Newly designed NZI Traps (Foil Targets), Epps Traps and Horse Pal Traps are also proving to be effective for pasture fly control, particularly for horse flies and stable flies. The large number of indigenous dung beetles on our dairy pastures has tremendous potential to result in cost effective pasture fly control as well.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The face fly and horn fly are the predominant arthropod pests of pastured cattle in the US. In recent years, the stable fly has emerged as a serious threat of pastured cattle as well. These flies as well as the horse flies form a diverse and difficult to manage pest complex that significantly impacts pastured dairy and beef cattle. The pending removal of several of the handful of remaining insecticides registered for pasture fly control will create a crisis for the U.S. dairy and beef industry. An effective integrated approach to address this pest complex is crucial. Therefore, we are continuing to evaluate new trapping technologies against stable and horse flies and a recently developed face and stable fly targeted-application automatic sprayer utilizing a pyrethroid formulation. We are also developing effective rearing techniques for the beetle parasitoid, Aleochara tristis, and plan to evaluate its impact on pasture fly populations. During 2005, newly designed NZI
traps (Foil targets), were placed on six farms, Epps Traps were placed on three farms, and Horse Pal traps were placed on three farms to evaluate their effectivness in capturing horse flies and stable flies. We will continue to evaluate the Foil target and have learned that the location of the target and its proximity to the animals is the key to the target overall success. In addition, the Epps and Horse Pal traps continue to show great promise. Organic farmers in particular have shown considerable interest in these traps as a cost-effective and acceptable method of controlling flies on their animals. Our program presented preliminary data and general information on these traps at a local Organic Farm Days to approximately 60 enthusiastic organic growers. A self-contained, automatic pesticide sprayer was also operated on three farms in 2005. This sprayer was modified with additional nozzles that specifically targeted the animal for stable fly control. In 2006, we are looking to
further modify the sprayer for cost-effectiveness and ease of use. A colony of the parasitoid A. tristis is being maintained at Cornell University. Rearing of a parasitoid colony has not been as successful as anticipated, but we are continuing to research potential rearing techniques.
Impacts
Our studies are identifying practical, cost-effective and readily adoptable solutions that will aid dairy and beef cattle producers in reducing the significant impact of pasture flies on their cattle. Producers were especially impressed with animal response to the modified automatic sprayers and the resultant improved animal grazing behavior. The addition of leg applications during 2005 showed great promise of ridding cattle of the painful impact of stable flies. On average, the control herds had about twice the average number of stable flies than the treated cattle.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The face fly and horn fly are the predominant arthropod pests of pastured cattle in the US. In recent years, the stable fly has emerged as a serious threat as well. These flies as well as the horse flies form a diverse and difficult to manage pest complex that impacts pastured dairy and beef cattle. These flies vector diseases, are extremely annoying and painful blood-feeders and reduce economic profitability to producers. The pending removal of several of the handful of remaining products registered for pasture fly control will create a crisis for the U.S. dairy and beef industry. An effective integrated approach to address this pest complex is crucial. We are evaluating new trapping technologies against stable and horse flies and a recently developed face and stable fly targeted-application automatic sprayer utilizing a pyrethroid formulation. We are developing effective rearing techniques for the beetle parasitoid, Aleochara tristis, and evaluate its impact on
pasture fly populations. These proposed solutions are cost-effective and easily incorporated into existing production systems. During 2004, NZI traps were placed on four farms, Epps Traps were placed on three farms and Horse Pal traps were placed on three farms to capture horse flies and stable flies. Flies captured by these traps were removed weekly and await identification. Additionally, horse fly and stable fly presence on animals was monitored weekly. All traps will be utilized in 2005 and 2006. A self-contained, automatic pesticide sprayer was operated on three farms in 2004 in an attempt to reduce face fly pressure on the pastured cattle. Weekly counts of face flies and stable flies were performed on sprayed cows, same farm unsprayed heifers and on unsprayed cows on three additional farms. In 2005, nozzles will be added to spray animal legs in an effort to reduce stable fly feeding. The parasitoid A. tristis was recovered and a small colony is being maintained at Cornell
University. We plan to expand the colony with additional field collections in 2005 and begin searching for alternative hosts to aid in rearing.
Impacts
These studies will identify practical, cost-effective and adoptable solutions that will aid producers in reducing the impacts pasture flies. Producers were impressed with animal response to the automatic sprayer and the resultant improved grazing behavior. The addition of leg applications holds the promise of ridding cattle of the painful impact of stable flies.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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