Flystrike in New Zealand: an Overview Based on a 16-Year Study
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Veterinary Parasitology 137 (2006) 333–344 www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpar Flystrike in New Zealand: An overview based on a 16-year study, following the introduction and dispersal of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) A.C.G. Heath a,*, D.M. Bishop b a AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, P.O. Box 40063, Upper Hutt, New Zealand b 244 Blue Mountains Rd., Upper Hutt, New Zealand Received 14 September 2005; received in revised form 19 December 2005; accepted 10 January 2006 Abstract A summary and analysis have been carried out on data from over 6000 instances of flystrike in sheep in NZ, over a 16-year period, using a self-referral system where farmers submitted larvae and related information. The study covered a period of establishment and subsequent countrywide spread of the exotic blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. Comparisons are drawn between flystrike as it was perceived by surveys carried out before the 1940s, and the current situation with L. cuprina as an added major impediment. Briefly, the main differences are an increase in the prevalence of flystrike, changes in the representation and relative influence of individual primary blowfly species, an extension of the flystrike ‘season’, and an apparent increase in the importance of footrot as a factor predisposing to flystrike. Otherwise, flystrike is still primarily a disease of ewe lambs that are struck predominantly around the tail and perineum, mainly because of faecal staining. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Flystrike; Lucilia cuprina; Epidemiology; New Zealand 1. Introduction and welfare concerns in other countries (Hall and Wall, 1995). Flystrike is an extension of the carrion- Flystrike is not only a perennial problem for the feeding habits of a few species of Calliphoridae New Zealand (NZ) sheep farmer, with estimated (Zumpt, 1965), wherein gravid female blowflies are annual losses a decade ago of at least $30–40 million attracted to sheep by a variety of cues, predominantly (Heath and Bishop, 1995), but also causes production olfactory, and stimulated to deposit eggs or live larvae under the influence of another set of cues (Hall and Wall, 1995). There are numerous pathological effects * Corresponding authors. Tel.: +64 4 529 0436; fax: +64 4 529 0380. of flystrike resulting from both mechanical and E-mail address: [email protected] (A.C.G. Heath). chemical attack by the feeding activity of maggots. 0304-4017/$ – see front matter # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.01.006 334 A.C.G. Heath, D.M. Bishop / Veterinary Parasitology 137 (2006) 333–344 Flystrike was officially reported as a problem in NZ Heath et al. (1983) emphasised correct dipping in the 1890s (Heath, 1994), although the initiating flies procedures and the value of monitoring fly activity, were first noticed in the 1870s (Hutton, 1901; Gilruth, and were an attempt to satisfy the need for information 1907) and by 1901 some apparently were established appropriate to farmers but, in hindsight, did not have nationwide (Hutton, 1901). Flystrike was severe the benefit of a full and current understanding of the enough as a problem by the 1920s for a survey of problem. The current study was intended to rectify this its prevalence and distribution to be undertaken situation, at least in part. (Miller, 1921) and parasitoid wasps imported as a Part way into the present study, in 1988, L. cuprina potential control measure but they had little apparent was found in NZ (Heath et al., 1991; Holloway, 1991) effect (Heath and Bishop, 1989). Since then a small but its distribution was incompletely known. This number of studies have contributed towards further provided a rare opportunity to chart the progress of a understanding of the epidemiology of flystrike in NZ, relatively recently introduced species, and also with nationwide (Miller, 1939) and locality studies suggested a possible reason for the changed percep- (Macfarlane, 1941; Dymock et al., 1991) together with tions about flystrike that had been reported by farmers an economic survey (Tenquist and Wright, 1976). about 5–6 years earlier. The short term (1 year at most) or localised nature of these studies precluded any assessment of national and annual trends in flystrike prevalence and onset, as 2. Materials and methods well as any changes in the blowfly fauna, information which is relevant for helping to understand and The principal basis of this study was self-referral of manage flystrike. In addition, previous studies, with samples of blowfly larvae collected by farmers from the exception of Dymock et al. (1991), that was based sheep, or other livestock species they encountered solely on fly trapping, dealt with a primary flystrike with flystrike. Data were recorded that were pertinent fauna that comprised just three species of blowflies to each host that was struck, including its age, sex and (Lucilia sericata, Calliphora stygia, Chrysomya factors that might have predisposed to the strike. rufifacies), and lacked Lucilia cuprina, the Australian About 50 farmers stayed with the project from the sheep blowfly, which only became apparent in NZ in beginning, having been initially chosen as a core the 1980s. monitor group. Other farmers were recruited as the Between 1982 and 1983, reports were received project grew, and many were self-selected having from farmers who were convinced that both the decided to participate once they were made aware of prevalence and seasonal duration of flystrike had the study. In all 1009 farmers participated at some time increased from what had been previously experienced. during the duration of the study. In the few studies carried out between 1920 and 1976 Farmers were provided with collection pots and flystrike was recorded as an annual nuisance but given clear instructions on sampling and recording accepted as a manageable problem. There was a procedures, and provided with a standardised record- relatively well-defined ‘‘season’’ that extended from ing form. They were also kept appraised of results in November to February (Heath, 1986a) with flystrike of regular newsletters in an attempt to maintain their little concern outside those months, if it occurred at all. interest and support in the project. Farmers were To account for the apparently altered circumstances provided with additional collection pots as these were reported in the 1980s there was speculation that long- requested. term climate change may have been influential (Heath, 1986b) and there were reports of a ‘new fly’ but 2.1. Larval samples nothing was submitted to us that caused alarm. We concluded that the usual pattern of flystrike was just Briefly, farmers were asked to submit samples of experiencing a brief, temporary perturbation. Despite larvae from active flystrike lesions on their sheep. this, the nature of continuing farmer concerns and Larvae were sent to the laboratory by post after being questions indicated that there was an absence of up-to- collected into a container partly filled with expanded date information on flystrike. Guidelines produced by biotite (Vermiculite1) that had been pre-delivered to A.C.G. Heath, D.M. Bishop / Veterinary Parasitology 137 (2006) 333–344 335 farmers. Samples were usually received by us within 1 when they took samples, and they could add others or 2 days of collection, and any that farmers could not not on the list. send immediately were stored at 4 8C for up to 3 days before posting without apparent ill-effects to larvae. A 2.3. Host data recording form (see details below) included with the pre-delivered containers accompanied each sample, 2.3.1. Sex and age the expectation being that submitters would complete For sorting data on age and sex distribution of as many of the sections as they were able. strikes in sheep the categories lambs, 12 month to two A sub-sample of larvae was taken from each tooth (12 mth–2 th) and older than two tooth (>2 th) sample when received, killed in boiling water, and were used, with Belschner (1976) as a guide. stored in 70% ethanol. These served as voucher specimens and as a means of identification should 2.4. Topography of strikes adult flies not be bred from the remaining larvae. Larvae were identified using descriptions in Dear When analysing the strike location sketches supplied (1986) and Holloway (1991).Iflarvaehaddiedand by farmers, it was found convenient to group data deteriorated during postage, it was sometimes still according to whereabouts in four anatomically distinct possible to identify them to species. The exception ‘quadrants’, the ‘Head’, ‘Flank’, ‘Rear’ and ‘Abdom- was some samples of Lucilia larvae where only a inal’ strikes most commonly occurred. Where strike generic description was possible, hence these are lesions crossed quadrant boundaries they were scored in presented as Lucilia spp. each quadrant in which they occurred. The remaining live larvae in each sample were placed in a container of rearing medium in an 2.5. Geographic distribution of flystrike incubator at 26 8C to mature and pupate. Puparia from which flies had not enclosed after an expected interval Source data were sorted into geographic regions (usually 10–14 days), were set aside to await the using the boundaries and locality code system emergence of any parasitoid wasps that might be proposed by Crosby et al. (1976, 1998). A map present (Heath and Bishop, 1989; Bishop et al., 1996). (Fig. 1) used with permission of the Fauna of New Adult flies were identified using descriptions in Dear Zealand series (Landcare Research), shows these (1986) and Bishop (1991). regions and their codes. Each district is referred to in On numerous occasions completed recording forms full with its code in parentheses at first use, and were submitted, but no sample of larvae. Any thereafter only full names are used.