‘Self‐fumigation’ of nests by an endangered avian host using insecticide‐treated feathers increases reproductive success more than tenfold

Alves, Fernanda; Langmore, Naomi E.; Heinsohn, Robert; Stojanović, Dejan

doi:10.1111/acv.12627

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…With these dosing parameters, some of these poultry studies reported sublethal effects consisting of weight loss and a reduction in the hatching of normal chicks. In regard to the effectiveness of the chemicals against P. downsi, permethrin application increased finch fledging survival and was effective at reducing the number of P. downsi larvae in avian nests in Galápagos (Causton et al, 2019;Cimadom et al, 2019), as well as against other nest parasites in conservation programs elsewhere (Alves et al, 2020). Cyromazine preliminary field applications have also led to finch's reproductive success as well as reduction in fly development in Galápagos (Causton et al, 2019(Causton et al, , 2020.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands

Bueno

Singer

Yoe

et al. 2021

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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One of the most concerning threats to Galápagos bird populations, including some critically endangered species, is the invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi. While long-term sustained solutions are under study, immediate actions are needed to reduce the impacts of this fly. Application of permethrin to birds's nests has been successfully done, but there might be potential long-term reproductive effects to birds. Cyromazine, an insect growth regulator, has been proposed as an alternative, but its risks and effectiveness are unknown. The goal of this study was to assist managers to determine which combination of chemical (permethrin or cyromazine) and mode of application (injection, spray, and self-fumigation) was likely to be most effective to control P. downsi while minimizing toxicity to small land birds in Galápagos, given data available and high levels of uncertainty in some cases. This study is presented as a semi-quantitative risk assessment employing the use of a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model. For the six potential alternatives resulting from the combination of chemical and mode of application, the criteria were given a score from 1 to 6 supported by available evidence from the literature and from expert opinion. In addition, three different scenarios with different sets of weights for each criterion were assessed with stakeholder's input. Considering the scenario with higher weight to effectiveness of the method against P. downsi while also weighing heavily to minimize the toxicity to birds, cyromazine spray followed by permethrin injection were the preferred strategies. Self-fumigation was the mode of application with highest uncertainty but with much potential to be further explored for its feasibility. The approach taken here to evaluate mitigation strategies against an important threat for avian species in Galápagos can also be used in other conservation programs when making real time decisions under uncertainty.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this case, they used impregnated feathers treated with a combination of permethrin, piperonyl butoxide, and methoprene. The pardalotes not only incorporated the treated feathers into their nests, but the survival of hatchlings was higher in nests that contained treated feathers compared to those that did not (Alves et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands

Bueno

Singer

Yoe

et al. 2021

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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“…For details of the identification and further information on study sites, see Edworthy (2016), Alves et al (2020) and Nelson & Grzywacz (2017). Previously identified larval specimens of P. heterochaeta and P. steini were obtained from collections at the Natural History Museum, London, UK.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Passeromyia indecora were obtained from a pigeon nestling in October 2015 at Bluewater, Queensland (Australia). For details of the identification and further information on study sites, see Edworthy (2016), Alves et al (2020) and Nelson and Grzywacz (2017). Previously identified larval specimens of P .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Larval morphology of the avian parasitic genusPasseromyia: playing hide and seek with a parastomal bar

Walczak

Szpila

Nelson

et al. 2022

Medical Vet Entomology

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The enigmatic larvae of the Old World genus Passeromyia Rodhain & Villeneuve, 1915 (Diptera: Muscidae) inhabit the nests of birds as saprophages or as haematophagous agents of myiasis among nestlings. Using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we provide the first morphological descriptions of the first, second and third instar of P. longicornis (Macquart, 1851) (Diptera: Muscidae), the first and third instar of P. indecora (Walker, 1858) (Diptera: Muscidae), and we revise the larval morphology of P. heterochaeta (Villenueve, 1915) (Diptera: Muscidae) and P. steini Pont, 1970 (Diptera: Muscidae). We provide a key to the third instar of examined species (excluding P. steini and P. veitchi Bezzi, 1928 (Diptera: Muscidae)). Examination of the cephaloskeleton revealed paired rod-like sclerites, named 'rami', between the lateral arms of the intermediate sclerite in the second and third instar larva. We reveal parastomal bars fused apically with the intermediate sclerite, the absence of which has so far been considered as apomorphic for second and third instar muscid larvae. Examination of additional material suggests that modified parastomal bars are not exclusive features of Passeromyia but occur widespread in the Muscidae, and rami may occur widespread in the Cyclorrhapha.

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“…Both methods, with subtle variations, are being used in attempts to increase the nesting success of the critically endangered mangrove finch, currently one of the most endangered birds in the world (Fessl et al, 2018). The same method is also being used successfully to protect endangered bird species against their respective parasites in Australia (Alves et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genome sequence of the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi), an invasive nest parasite of Darwin's finches in Galapagos

Romine

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The invasive avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi) is considered one of the greatest threats to the unique and endemic avifauna of the Galpagos Islands, Ecuador. The fly parasitizes nearly every passerine species, including Darwins finches, in the Galpagos. The fly is thought to have been introduced from mainland Ecuador, although the full pathway of invasion is not yet known. The majority of research to date has focused on the effects of the fly on the fitness of avian hosts and explorations of mitigation methods. A lag in research related to the genetics of this invasion demonstrates, in part, a need to develop full-scale genomic resources with which to address further questions within this system. In this study, an adult P. downsi collected from San Cristobal Island within the Galpagos archipelago was sequenced to generate a high-quality genome assembly. We examined various features of the genome (e.g., coding regions, non-coding transposable elements) and carried out comparative genomics analysis against other dipteran genomes. We identified lists of gene families that are significantly expanding/contracting in P. downsi >that are related to insecticide resistance, detoxification, and potential feeding ecology and counter defense against host immune responses. The P. downsi genome assembly provides an important foundational resource for studying the molecular basis of its successful invasion in the Galpagos and the dynamics of its population across multiple islands. The findings of significantly changing gene families associated with insecticide resistance and immune responses highlight the need for further investigations into the role of different gene families in aiding the flys successful invasion. Furthermore, this genomic resource will also better help inform future research studies and mitigation strategies aimed at minimizing the flys impact on the birds of the Galpagos.

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‘Self‐fumigation’ of nests by an endangered avian host using insecticide‐treated feathers increases reproductive success more than tenfold

Cited by 9 publications

References 30 publications

Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands

Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands

Larval morphology of the avian parasitic genusPasseromyia: playing hide and seek with a parastomal bar

The genome sequence of the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi), an invasive nest parasite of Darwin's finches in Galapagos

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