Prevalence, regional distribution and control of blowfly strike in England and Wales

Abstract

The prevalence and control of blowfly strike in England and Wales was investigated by a postal survey of 2451 sheep farmers, divided into five regions, who were asked about the blowfly seasons of 1988 and 1989. These were important years for the control of blowfly strike because the number of compulsory dips for the control of sheep scab was reduced from two to one in 1989. The response rate was 74.2 per cent. A larger proportion of farmers in the south west and south east reported strike (90 per cent), than in the north of England (60 per cent). The proportion of sheep with strike showed a similar regional variation (0.7 per cent in the north of England to 2.8 per cent in the south west). Dipping was the most common method of blowfly control, followed by tail amputation, dagging, spraying and cyromazine. Twenty per cent of farmers reported reducing the frequency of dipping in 1989, and of those 20 per cent increased the frequency of spraying and 20 per cent used cyromazine.

Integrated control strategies for ectoparasites in Scottish sheep flocks

“…The probability that a nonobligate parasite (blowfly and ticks) would affect a flock is greatly influenced by local conditions. Blowfly strike is reported to affect around 80% of flocks in England and Wales (French et al, 1992) and is likely to affect a similar proportion of Scottish flocks. For simplicity it was assumed in the model that blowfly would affect all four flock cases being investigated.…”

“…Following the spring/summer treatment if tick losses occur mortality rates of 5% each for TBF and tick pyaemia are assumed with a value for each dead animal of £30. Finally, with regard to blowfly strike, it was assumed that 10% of sheep in a flock would be affected (Davis, 1934;French et al, 1992French et al, , 1994a with the average loss in production being valued at £3.50 per affected animal. This average level of lost production encompasses the range of early infestations resulting in only minor production losses to severe infestations, which can be fatal and was estimated using published data (French et al, 1995;Heath et al, 1987;Wall et al, 1993).…”

Tests on a new bait for flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) causing cutaneous myiasis (flystrike) in sheep

“…Approximately 3-5% of sheep in New Zealand suffer from flystrike each year (Heath & Bishop 1995 and Wales (French et al 1992) and around 2% of sheep in New South Wales (Waudhaugh & Morton 1990).…”

“…Lucilia cuprina is also ubiquitous in Australia (Graham 1979) and South Africa (Zumpt 1965). Lucilia sericata is the main fly of concern in Great Britain (French et al 1992).…”

The Effect of Milk Sucking from the Dam or Glucose Administration on the Behavioural Responses to Tail Docking in Lambs

“…Rubber rings are the most widespread method of tail docking in England and Wales (French et al 1992). Non-tail docked lambs are more likely to suffer from fleece soiling and fly strike than tail docked animals (French et al 1994ab) and this could cause even more pain and distress than tail amputation.…”