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Effect on cattle
Buffalo fly irritate cattle, interrupting feeding and causing sores especially when infestations are
high. Trials in the wet tropics have shown that buffalo fly can reduce beef cattle production by up to
16%. A small parasitic worm (Stephanofilaria spp.) is associated with buffalo fly bites and causes
skin lesions. Sores from buffalo fly infestations result in permanent hide damage therefore
decreasing the value of the hide. These lesions may also restrict access of stock to the live export
trade.
Dark coated cattle, bulls, older cattle and those in poor condition usually attract the heaviest
infestations of fly. Bos indicus cattle seem to carry high numbers but do not appear to be as severely
affected as other breeds.
Chemical resistance
Chemical resistance is usually seen in the field as a reduced protection period. Trials undertaken in
1993 showed resistance to SPs was widespread. There was cross resistance between all SPs (ie if
flies were resistant to one SP chemical they were also resistant to other SP chemicals). There was
little evidence of resistance to organophosphate (OP) chemicals.
Control strategies
The current buffalo fly control strategies aim to:
• reduce buffalo fly numbers to acceptable levels to prevent production loss
• provide for welfare considerations
• minimise chemical residue risks
• reduce the reliance on chemicals by utilising control with alternative methods
• target treatment costs and consider alternative treatments for different herd groups.
See also:
• Buffalo fly in beef cattle: Losses in production
Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to
specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries
and Fisheries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in
this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make
appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject
matter.
Control of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua de Meijere) on dairy and beef
cattle using traps
Abstract
The design and testing of traps are described for control of the buffalo fly Haematobia irritans
exigua on dairy and beef cattle in Australia. The initial design, for use on milking cows, consisted of
a translucent, plastic-covered tunnel, with compartments separated by plastic partitions and
doorways with black shade-cloth curtains. The curtains brushed flies off the cattle as they passed
through the tunnel. The flies were attracted to the light and ascended the walls to be confined in the
dome-shaped roof. The traps removed 80% of the flies each time the cattle passed through them.
During farm trials in 1990-91, fly numbers (8) on milking cows were reduced by 85% compared
with those (94) on other cattle on the same farm, and by 65% compared with neighbouring milking
cows (30), which received an average of three pesticide treatments. Breeding of buffalo fly was
reduced by 81% on the pastures grazed by milking cattle using the traps. In 1992 and 1993, a
smaller portable trap was developed for use by all types of cattle. Replacement of the shade-cloth
curtains with brushes and addition of a translucent false ceiling increased the efficiency of the trap
from 80 to 90%. The traps achieved 90% control on five dairy and two beef properties compared
with cattle given traditional pesticide treatments. The results demonstrate the feasibility of
controlling Haematobia without insecticides, by using a simple, sustainable and environmentally
friendly trap, provided that cattle use the traps regularly.
Buffalo fly trap
1992
low-tech way to rid cattle of insects
Buffalo flies are a serious problem for dairy cattle in tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Hundreds
of flies bite each cow every day, causing irritation and lowering milk production. The cows develop
sores and injure themselves as they scratch the bites by rubbing against trees and fences. Pesticides
to control the flies are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, and flies are developing resistance
to them.
In 1991 the CSIRO developed a better solution, a fly trap. The trap consists of a translucent plastic
tent with a dark inner tunnel lined with brushes. When a cow walks through, the flies are brushed
off. They fly upwards toward the light and become trapped in the solar-heated plastic dome. There
they quickly die from desiccation (drying out) and fall to the ground, where ants eat them.
The trap has been a great success with cattle, which soon start lining up to use it. It was originally
developed with financial assistance from the Dairy Research and Development Corporation, then
commercialised in 1992 by Country Industries Australia. Variations of the fly trap have also been
developed for beef cattle.
Who Did It?
Key Organisations
CSIRO Division of Entomology : R&D, design
Country Industries Australia Pty Ltd : manufacture
Key People
Robert Sutherst : research and development
Robert Tozer : research and development
Further Reading
'Cows give flies the slip'
Ian Anderson
New Scientist, 14 December 1991, Science & Education, p 3.
- How It Works -
As the host animal enters the trap, there is a significant change in light intensity sufficient to
cause the Buffalo Flies to leave their host and 'fly to a more lighted place'. You can see this effect
in a herd when a cow goes to lie down or when two cows come close to each other. All the flies
on the affected area of the animal where the light changes to shadow will suddenly fly off.
Once airborne in the tunnel they are attracted to the brighter light coming in through the slits and
will fly towards that light-source. They are then caught in the capture chambers along either side
of the tunnel where they quickly expire due to exhaustion.
The original Buffalo Fly Trap was developed by CSIRO and tested extensively by the
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. In its original form the invention was definitely
worthwhile but our in-house research and development team have managed to improve the
effectiveness of the trap as well as tackling the four main problems with the original design
to produce a unit that is considerably more advanced and effective in several ways:
The statistics on the original CSIRO design indicated a capture rate of 60 to 80 percent. So, a unit
was constructed according to their specifications and tested extensively. Our statistics on their
design showed a 65 percent decrease in fly numbers after ten days, which is a decrease of two
thirds.
Then, after extensive research and development by our own team, it was discovered that a few
subtle changes to the shape and size of the light-slits and the width of the tunnel brought about a
significant increase in the capture rate to about 75 percent or three quarters of fly volume after
the same ten day period:
.......................... a TEN PERCENT IMPROVEMENT over the original design.
To improve this situation we added a pair of panels dubbed 'approach wings' on either end that
offers a more approachable environment which the cattle are probably more used to and which
act to guide them into and through the trap more readily. During testing we observed several
cattle who approached the trap but stopped between the wings as though they were unsure about
going through. As other cattle approached them from behind it became evident that they had to
decide to either turn around within the wings and 'go back' or 'go through'. Most opted to go
through the tunnel. And observing this, those approaching from behind often followed without
much hesitation.
We saw this as a major improvement over the original structure where the cattle could simply
walk to the side and avoid the decision to enter or turn back.
N.B. The approach wings are not meant to be an impenetrable fence. They only act to guide the
animals in a non-threatening way. They also act to stabilise the unit from wind or other forces
that might dislodge or move it.
We have replaced the heavy ply sides and top with Poly Plastic which is just as effective and
much lighter. We have also improved the shape and weight of the capture chambers. The end
result is a unit that can be lifted onto a ute or truck for relocation by one man without
disassembly.
3. Flies that entered the trap were able to escape by the same route.
The original square trap had a long slit that admitted the flies into the trap as they rose upward
towards a stronger light source. But flies were then able to drop down and go back out of the trap
and many were lost as a result.
The "V" shaped trap we have developed does not allow the flies to find their way back out of the
trap. This ensures a far greater capture rate than previously recorded.
We have added a 'tear-off' velcro tab that allows the operator to quickly and easily empty the
build-up of expired flies.