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Topical treatment of calves with synthetic pyrethroids: effects on the non-target dung fly Neomyia cornicina (Diptera: Muscidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

C. Sommer*
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Zoology Section, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
K.-M. Vagn Jensen
Affiliation:
Danish Pest Infestation Laboratory, Lyngby, Denmark
J.B. Jespersen
Affiliation:
Danish Pest Infestation Laboratory, Lyngby, Denmark
*
*Fax: +45 3528 2670 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Dung from calves treated with synthetic pyrethroids negatively influenced, in varying degrees, survival, reproduction and size of the common dung fly Neomyia cornicina(Fabricius). This was documented in assays where the coprophagous larvae and adults of N. cornicina were exposed to dung collected from calves dosed with topical preparations of deltamethrin, flumethrin, cyfluthrin, and α-cypermethrin. Larval mortality was significantly increased in dung collected up to at least seven days after treatment with deltamethrin, α-cypermethrin and cyfluthrin. Alpha-cypermethrin caused significant mortality of adults allowed to feed on moist dung. Nulliparous flies fed for six days on dung collected three days after treatment of calves with α-cypermethrin or deltamethrin showed little or no ovarian development. A tendency for a comparable effect with flumethrin was also observed. A connection between ovarian development and inhibition of feeding was indicated by the observation of significantly lowered excretion rates in flies exposed to residues of deltamethrin, α-cypermethrin and flumethrin. Larvae that survived exposure to dung from calves dosed with deltamethrin, α-cypermethrin, or cyfluthrin gave rise to smaller flies. The effect on adult fly size decreased when larvae were exposed to dung collected at longer times after treatment of the calves. Adult fly size was significantly reduced in dung collected up to 14 days (α-cypermethrin) or up to 28 days after treatment (deltamethrin and cyfluthrin). Fluctuating asymmetry of a wing vein character did not reflect the anticipated levels of exposure. The study strongly indicated that the use of synthetic pyrethroids affected the insect dung fauna and that such use may reduce dung decomposition.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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