Veterinary Entomology

- May 31, 2013 Volume 6, Issue 2 Veterinary Entomology

Insect Updates Special Interest Articles: Stable Flies! – Not only a Dairy Pest, but Mostly a Dairy Pest Stable flies, also known as number one priority. spraying chemicals on the Heel flies in the dairy industry animals is usually ineffective. The stable fly larvae do not • Stable Flies (which is not what an Chemicals on the legs (where the breed in fresh manure, like entomologist will call them), flies bite) get washed or rubbed house and horn flies do. The • House Fly Virus are a significant pest that cost off or does not maintain stable fly prefers to breed in the US cattle industry close to effectiveness long enough to hay/straw/vegetation that is • Spring, Time to $1 billion each year, due to effect most of the population. mixed with manure and urine. Deworm reduced milk production in Feed additives are very effective

dairy cows, decreased weight The stable fly also does not against horn and house flies. • Heat Stress gain in beef cattle, and need a large amount of Both male and female stable flies lowered feed efficiency. • Piroplasmosis in breeding material in order to take blood meals BUT they only lay eggs and the larvae will South Texas Controlling for stable flies on a take 1 meal EACH DAY. This develop inside the material dairy is difficult, costly, time comes out to be 3-5 mins every where it is moist. consuming and most of the 24 hours on the animals’ legs. time ineffective with chemical The ideal location for this Cleaning up manure, feed, and applications, but completely material is up against the walls hay on a regular basis and using necessary. where animals feed or in biting fly traps are the most between the rails. To achieve any type of control effective means of lowering a on dairies (or beef pastures), Attempting to control stable stable fly population. sanitation needs to be your flies with feed additives or

The Virus vs. the House Fly USDA-ARS scientist have ovaries from developing. to determine how to infect found an alternative way to kill Therefore she cannot lay eggs house flies and other flies are house flies and is utilizes a and infected males cannot being tested against the virus Individual virus – salivary gland mate. (i.e. stable flies) with promising Highlights: hypertrophy virus (SGHV). results. When the flies feed, they leave Insect Updates 1 This virus gets into the massive quantities of the virus The use of this virus will not be salivary glands of the female behind for the next fly to a “quick fix” but it will be Cattle Care 2 house fly causing them to consume. another tool in the integrated Pesticides 2 swell and preventing her management of flies. Currently tests are being done Disease/Health 3 Stink bugs in cow feed do not taint milk Special Topics 3 With the recent infestation of would taint the milk. odor compounds in their stomachs with the results Journal Review 5 marmorated stink bugs in many USDA researchers studied showing no signs of stink bug of the crops being harvested cows fed contaminated feed stench in the cow’s milk for dairy cows, some were and cows that were stink bug concerned that the stink bugs supply.

17-year cicadas entomologists will when will be wall-to-wall cicadas. This year the 17-year cicada billions of cicadas start singing, Their presence will be felt for a will emerge in the eastern US, this will be an event to few weeks before the adults just as soon as the soil temps remember. reach 64 degrees. die off after their offspring The magicicadas have red enter the soil to grow for Although I can assume most eyes and in some places there another 17 years. people will not be as excited as

Veterinary Entomology Page 2 of 6 Cattle Care It is spring (or summer in some locations), Time to Deworm Spring has arrived and now it is Most mature cows usually only vary based on parasite levels in time to deworm your cattle. need to be dewormed once per the pasture). Yearlings can be Parasite burdens will peak year, right before calving if dewormed in the spring and fall during spring in pastures and possible, but two treatments in until they reach maturity. again in the fall. a might be necessary if there is “if you can’t weigh each animal There are two main classes of a large parasite load. and dose based on that, Many times internal parasites dewormers; benzimidazoles

calculate your dose based on will be over looked since cattle Bulls are more naturally more and avermectins/milbemycins, do not always show clinical susceptible to parasites and the later provides some external the heaviest animal in the signs (rough coats, anemia, should be treated in the spring parasite control. When group, not the group’s average and edema) of an infestation. and fall. choosing a deworming product, weight.” Many animals will experience keep in mind its spectrum of Calves need to be treated at 3- reduced weight gain, control, withdrawal time, cost 4 months of age, at weaning, decreased milk production, effectiveness, product efficacy and every 3-4 months until they lowered conception rates, etc. and method of application. reach 1 year of age (this will

Proper injection sites when working calves Now is that time of year when tenderness and the injection All injections should be given in producers will schedule the site. the neck when possible to stop “working” of their calves. damage to expensive steak In fact, all intramuscular (IM) Proper injection administration cuts. is a critical point in beef injections will create permanent production and animal health. damage regardless of the age Always give injections Parasite control on of the animal at the time of according to the label and if No matter which product is injection. Tenderness is there is an option to inject either DocTalk being injected into the calf, reduced in a 3 inch area subcutaneous or intramuscular, http://www.bovinevetonline.com/newsle there is always a negative surrounding the injection site. always choose subcutaneous. tter/bovinevet-wir/Parasite-control-on- relationship between meat DocTalk -207384111.html On the DocTalk program, Guard Against Heat Stress in Cattle Kansas State University Understanding and avoiding Humidity is an additional stress to be large, misting wat er veterinarian Dan Thomson heat stress can be a that intensifies temperature discusses parasite control does not reach the hide and valuable management tool. problems by making it harder only adds humidity to the with Dr. Dave Rethorst, According to Brian Freking, for the cattle to cool off. breathing environment. also a K-State veterinarian. OSU Cooperative Extension Signs of heat stress include Rethorst outlines the Southeast District livestock Avoiding heat stress can be slobbering, heavy panting, importance of pre-weaning specialist, “Cattle have an achieved by allowing cattle open mouth breathing and lack treatment for internal upper critical temperature access to cool water and of coordination. Severe cases parasites in calves this that is approximately 20 mineral supplements. may include depression and spring, as well as spring degrees Fahrenheit cooler trembling that require some Increase watering locations if control of internal parasites than humans.” in yearling heifers and type of low stress intervention. possible, to allow the herd to At 90 degrees, cattle may be spread out and remember young cows. He also If water is to be applied to in the danger zone for cattle will drink 50% more discusses the types of cattle, the droplet sizes need products appropriate for extreme heat stress. water in temps above 90°F. use in controlling internal parasites and external parasites, which are the Pesticides Update/Outlook primary concern in older Insect/Weed Control Recipe Could be Hazardous to Corn females. Many farmers have started to The use of both an need to be metabolized by the use soil insecticides (again) to organophosphate insecticide, plant. When ALS & HPPD insure that corn rootworms will such as Counter, Thimet, herbicides and OP insecticides not be a problem in corn fields. Lorsban, Aztec or Fortress, and are used the plant can become an herbicide that is ALS or overwhelmed and injury can But this has some setbacks, one HPPD-inhibiting can cause injury occur. of which is using herbicides later to the plant. in the same field. It is important to follow label Both insecticides and herbicides restrictions to prevent such are foreign to corn plants and interactions. Human & Animal Disease & Health TAHC Testing Equine for Piroplasmosis in Kleberg County, TX Texas Animal Health Commission negative horse by blood transfer from that eventually test negative. (TAHC) has designated south Texas, dirty instruments or insect carriers, “Equine Piroplasmosis is considered a Kleberg Co. equine (horses, mules, such as ticks. foreign animal disease in the US, zebras, etc.) at high risk for exposure to Piro is not transmissible to humans. however, new cases continue to be Equine Piroplasmosis. Testing of animals Piro is currently not considered discovered, even three years after the began on April 8. endemic in Texas or the US but initial case was found,” Dr. Dee Ellis, Equine Piroplasmosis is a blood-borne isolated outbreaks of the disease have State Veterinarian, said. “The TAHC is protozoal disease that affects all equine, and do occur. asking for the support of equine owners including horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and veterinarians to make this testing Through research, a treatment protocol and zebras. Piroplasmosis can be effort a success and help assure the was developed that clears the infection transmitted from a positive horse to a health of the equine population.” and can lead to the release of horses Horse has Parasites, Now what do you do? Horses can get parasites and treatment is Worming a horse with medications recommendation. These can be given needed. approved by a veterinarian will manage every 8-12 weeks but they do not stay in the body for more than a few days. Reduce parasites by removing manure parasites. Wormers come in pastes, gels, powders, granules or pellets. from stalls on a regular basis. Do not Continuous wormers, also known as spread the manure into a field that the Purge wormers will kill parasites with “daily” wormers, are added to the horse will have access to. horse’s feed each day and destroy one strong dosage and will be given periodically with a veterinarian’s worms as they infect the horse.

Mastitis Monitoring and the Role Diet Plays in Heifer Mastitis Control

Monitoring mastitis rates and personnel. Case definitions formerly realized, according to events is common place on defined for a dairy may not be Stephen Nickerson, PhD, dairies and necessary. A text book definitions but when professor of lactation veterinarian must combine the defined simply and treatment physiology, University of health of the cow, ability of the protocols are defined around Georgia. farm personnel to identify the case definition, the health Dr. Nickerson says the goal disease and the most prevalent of the animal is usually should be to prevent new presentation of the disease. improved and goals for the infections through dairy are more often met. In terms of identifying disease, management strategies that case definition on a dairy is a Mastitis management is include not only vaccinations, “The greatest development of way of defining to the farm commonly focused on use of teat seals and fly milk-producing tissue in the personnel what constitutes an lactating cows but the control but also dietary udder occurs during the first intervention point. prevalence of mastitis in supplements that boost the pregnancy, so it is important unbred, breeding age and immune systems. to protect the heifer mammary Monitoring systems should be pregnant heifers is higher than gland from pathogenic kept simple and concise for farm microorganisms”

Special Topics of Interest Six Things Mom Get Wrong at the Grocery Store According to a new survey of more than 2008, suggesting that not all natural benefits or deficits from eating organic 1000 mothers many are often misinformed ingredients are benign. compared with conventionally grown at the grocery store, especially when Think that family farms are dying, 7 out foods. Same goes for milk. buying “all-natural” and “hormone-free” of 10 moms think this. Between 96-98% products. Fear GMOs, modern biotech crops have of the 2.2 million farms across the US are been commercially grown for more than Among the misconceptions, many moms: family farms. 12 years and there are no documented Are willing to spend more for hormone- Incorrectly identified organic cases of an ecosystem disturbance or a free poultry and pork, however, the production, 84% think organic food is person made ill. USDA prohibits farmers from using farmed without the use of any pesticides, Believe that local is better, in some hormones to raise these species. fertilizers or herbicides and half think situations it can take more energy to organic is nutritionally better. Current Reach for “all-natural” products, grow and harvest local food than it does evidence does not support any nutritional Consumer Reports covered the issue in to grow far away and ship.

Veterinary Entomology Page 4 of 6

Eco nomist: Livestock Producers Should Expect Bright Future According to Purdue University agricultural increase significantly.” Grocers and restaurants will be economist Farzad Taheripour, the searching for ways to maintain consumer Economists are wondering if beef prices livestock industry should see a boost in demand. Restaurants have previously will rise to the point that consumers will the coming years from more efficient land avoided passing on high food costs to see it as a luxury good and choose use, a stalled demand for corn ethanol consumers by serving smaller portions alternatives such as chicken, pork and and increased demand for meat in but that might change. fish. developing countries. Mike Hoffman, meat director at Dahl’s It was recently reported by USA Today “Due to consumer taste preferences, Foods in Des Moines, has adopted the that beef prices have increased by an global growth in income and population, strategy of selling higher-priced beef cuts average of a dollar per pound since 2007 the livestock industry will grow, particularly in 12 oz packages instead of 16 oz. He and are expected to increase by up to an toward poultry and pork,” Taheripour said. has also started selling smaller, cheaper additional 10% before the summer. “The demand for poultry and pork will cuts for $4 to “keep costumers’ taste for beef alive.” Are Your Cows Overstocked? Research has found the negative impacts increase cortisol production in cows. The expense of spending time at the feed of overcrowding cow pens effect not only increased cortisol may change energy bunk. Other cows have been noted to the performance but also the metabolism and result in higher non- butt heads at the feed bunk as well. physiological and behavior of animals. esterified fatty acids levels. Management needs to be changed to The losers of competition over quality Researchers also found that some cows reduce the impacts of overcrowding; feed will hold back profitability of the will compensate overcrowding at the frequent feeding, push up feed, more whole herd. feed bunk by consuming feed at a faster frequent scraping of manure and good Overcrowding leads to stress and this will pace and some will lie down at the bed maintenance should be priorities.

New School Lunch Beef Recipes with Approval from Kids, Foodservice New beef dishes have been piloted at Beef Mash-Up, Wrangler’s Beef Chili Wrangler’s Beef Chili, classic ground beef schools around the country and many and Sweet and Sloppy Joes. and bean chili recipe – “We want students and foodservice directors The most common response from seconds!” “Yummy lunch!” agree the meals are delicious and students was “Awesome.” Spy Thai nutritious. Sweet Potato Beef Mash-Up, sweet Beef, Asian themed ground beef with potatoes and ground beef – “I like the The dishes are The Rock and Roll Beef veggies – “I love Thai food and this was meat and veggie mixture!” Wrap, Spy Thai Beef, Sweet Potato delicious.” Insects. They’re What’s for Dinner! One potential remedy for the rapidly science in both developed and insects already. developing countries,” according to the growing world population, according to a FAO report also touts edible insects as FAO report. United Nation’s Food and Agriculture a way to fight obesity and lower Organization (FAO) report, is edible Many insects contain the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions, while insects. protein and minerals as meat and more providing business and export “Insects offer a significant opportunity to healthy fats. opportunities for poor people in developing countries. merge traditional knowledge and modern It is estimated that 2 billion people eat April Temperatures Coldest in 16 years The National Oceanic and Atmospheric coolest April since 1997. The precipitation The Upper Midwest had so many alfalfa Administration (NOAA) released its averaged 2.9 inches. crops killed by the cold that the start to spring has forced some livestock monthly “State of the Climate” report, The Midwest felt the impact of the lingering rd coolest producers to replace crops with other showing that April was the 23 winter conditions, more than most areas. April on record and also the 19th grains or pay high prices for more hay. Cool weather and wet conditions delayed wettest. planting for weeks, which at one point tied Not all regions were so lucky with the Temperatures across the nation 1984 for the slowest planting season rain, parts of Cali and the Southwest saw averaged 49.7 degrees F, making it the reported. little rain and above-average temperatures. Journal Reviews Identification of volatile compounds from a food-grade vinegar attractive to house flies (Diptera: Muscidae). 2013. Qian et al. J Econom. Entomol. 106: 979-987.

Researchers in Nebraska used sugar and captured more house flies This is the first detailed report of house commercial vinegar to attract and trap than other attractants. fly attractants from vinegar. house flies with successful results at a Electroantennograms showed that the The Impact. This will help develop less dairy. seven vinegar components elicited volatile attractants for use around barns The vinegar was mixed with brown significant responses from antennae of and in indoor environments. house flies. Repellency of cassia bark, eucalyptus, and star anise oils and their major constituents to Leptotrombidium pallidum (Acari: Trombiculidae). 2013. Shin et al. J Med. Entomol. 50: 579-584. Researchers tested the repellency Results showed cassia bark, star The Impact. The effectiveness of effect of cassia bark, eucalyptus and anise oils and the major these essential oils and their major star anise oils against chiggers in South constituents, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, constituents provide hope in finding Korea that are known to vector the 1,8-cineole, and (E)-anethole, to be more natural compounds to use as causative agent of scrub typhus. more repellant than DEET and repellents. IR3535. Evaluation of a nonanal-Trimethylamine lure for collection of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in gravid traps. 2013. Irish et al. J Med. Entomol. 50: 619-623. An effective means for trapping Culex standardized lures using nonanal and Grass infused collected more quinquefasciatus mosquitoes is with trimethylamine have been developed. mosquitoes than the other traps. gravid traps that are infused with organic material. The researchers tested grass infused The Impact. These results show the traps against, nonanal & trimethylamine lures to attract mosquitoes but not at The organic material changes overtime, traps and tap water traps. the same numbers as the grass altering its attractiveness, therefore infused meht Permethrin resistant profiles in a field population of mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). 2013. Yang and Liu. J Med. Entomol. 50: 585-593. The resistance qualities of natural exhibit a resistance range of 0.4 to 280 The Impact. The extensive presence populations of Culex quinquefasciatus fold. The researchers found 65% of the of resistance in natural colonies of C. were tested in the laboratory against colonies to have <10 fold levels of quinquefasciatus is unsettling permethrin and compared to a resistance to permethrin, 16% had 10- information when vector control is susceptible strain of mosquitoes. to 20- fold, 7% had 20- to 30- fold, and limited by the number of insecticides 12% ≥ 30- fold. The results showed fourth larvae to available for use.

Comparison of dragging and sweeping methods for collecting ticks and determining their seasonal distributions for various habitats, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea. 2013 Chong et al. J Med. Entomol. 50: 611-618. Dragging and sweeping methods were flava, and Ixodes nipponensis. The Impact. The results of this paper utilized and compared to determine their show that if tick sampling is needed in Collection method was determined to efficiency for collecting ticks in grass and an area for any reason, the same have no significant difference when deciduous, conifer, and mixed forest number of ticks will be collected collecting for ticks but there were habitats. whether with a sweep net of a significant in the number of ticks dragging cloth. Three species were collected, collected based on location and time of Haemaphysalis longico, Haemaphysalis year.

Range expansion of Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) near their northern distribution limits. 2013. Dergousoff et al. J. Med. Entomol. 50: 510-520. Researchers in Canada studied the westward and northward beyond the The Impact. The expansion of the ticks known location of both ticks in Canada acknowledged habitation zone from and the overlap in location gives rise to and increased the sampling plot in order 1960. the movement of disease transmission to determine if either tick species had Dermacentor andersoni, the Rocky in areas not previously exposed and moved beyond the known habitation also gives potential of the ticks sharing zone. Mountain wood tick, was sampled as well and determined to have not moved disease pathogens. Dermacentor variabilis, the American beyond the habitation zone set forth in dog tick, was found to have expanded 1960.

Veterinary Entomology Page 6 of 6 Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti in the continental United States: A vector at the cool margin of Sonja L. Swiger, PhD its geographic range. 2013. Eisen and Moore. J Med. Entomol. 50: 467-478. Assist. Professor No doubt climate conditions the availability of water-holding The Impact. This mosquito is Livestock Extension the main vector of Dengue and directly impact many aspects containers for oviposition and Entomologist of the life history of Aedes larval development. Yellow Fever. Dengue has had aegypti, the mosquito is also recent outbreaks in southern 1229 North US Hwy 281 Many fear that the mosquito Stephenville, TX 76401 linked to the human Florida and southern Texas, will eventually move further environment and influenced by locations where Ae. aegypti north as the climate warms. CELL: are found. (239) 220-0168 Repellency of DEET, picaridin, and three essential oils to Triatoma rubida (Hemiptera:

PHONE: Reduviidae: Triatominae). 2013. Terriquez et al. J Med. Entomol. 50: 664-667. (254) 968-4144 Triatoma rubida, the kissing Several products were tested for oil 30%, peppermint oil 3.3%, bug common in Tucson, AZ, is their repellency to T. rubida; and citronella 0.165%. E-MAIL: responsible for causing severe DEET, picaridin, tea tree oil, Citronella was the only [email protected] allergic reactions in some peppermint oil, and citronella oil. chemical able to stop all individuals that are bitten. probing and feeding. None of the materials tested were The kissing bug, is named so observed to have long range The Impact. The results of for its tendency to feed on the repellency. DEET showed a 10% citronella give hope for face near the mouth. repellency, picaridin 7%, tea tree repellency when sleeping. Estimating mosquito population size from mark-release-recapture data. 2013. Cianci et al. J Med. Entomol. 50: 533-542. E stimating accurate estimated with mark-release- dealing with a disease carrying populations of mosquitoes is recapture experiments. These vector, the use of the MRR key to understanding the experiments are based on the method would assist with ecology of disease vectors, total number of marked and population numbers; thereby as well as the epidemiology unmarked captures helping decide if and when of the pathogens they carry. control measure should be The Impact. It is impossible to taken. Population size can be collect all insects but when

Efficacy of DEET and non-DEET – based insect repellents against bites of Simulium damnosum vectors of onchocerciasis. 2013. Wilson et al. Med. Vet. Entomol. 27: 226-231. Coping with Simulium damnosum in vectors. blindness is a filarial disease caused by onchocerciasis endemic communities is an Onchocerca volvulus infection NO MAS had the highest percentage at done with smoke screens. But more transmitted to humans by black flies. The 80.8% and 42.5% with DEET product. efficient alternatives are needed. disease in the chronic stage manifests as The period of absolute protection was 5 blindness, severe dermatitis and skin DEET products and NO MAS (para- h by NO MAS and 1 h by 50% DEET depigmentation. Additional means for menthane-3,8-diol, and lemon grass oil) product. protecting susceptible individuals is were tested in Ghana against the black fly The Impact. Onchocerciasis or river heavily warranted.

Anthrax! Time to vaccinate is now! Now is the time for livestock producers Livestock should be vaccinated 4 to get their animals vaccinated against weeks before the disease usually anthrax. appears. Livestock/veterinary website “Conditions this year are conducive to Herds within 6 miles of prior cases http://livestockvetento.tamu.edu the development of anthrax,” warns should be vaccinated, especially in wet Charlie Stoltenow, NDSU Extension years. Livestock need to be Service veterinarian. vaccinated annually for anthrax. Livestock Veterinary Although this is in regards to North “The vaccine is inexpensive and very Entomology on facebook Dakota and the rainfall it is receiving, effective,” Stoltenow says. If anthrax is vaccination is important for all livestock detected, a herd should be moved to a in areas with a history of anthrax. new pasture.