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The sheep ked, Melophagus ovinus L. I. Dissemination potential

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. H. Tetley
J. H. Tetley
Affiliation:
Massey Agricultural College, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Extract

Components of the intricate ked-sheep pattern, of significance in dissemination of the ked, are defined. It was found that the dissemination potential (percentage of population on the fleece surface) on one sheep was constantly greater than on a second. Bright sunshine caused an increase in the dissemination potential, particularly on the first sheep. It was concluded that the stimulating factor was a rise in the fleece temperature in regions directly exposed to the rays of the sun.

The factor or factors causing differences in dissemination potential arose from similar degrees of temperature change being superimposed on inherently different fleeces. The sexes behaved similarly on both sheep.

Keds were able to transfer readily between the two sheep. However, when they were concentrated on the sheep with a high dissemination potential, the population of the two-sheep system declined rapidly; when they were placed on the sheep with a low dissemination potential, the population of the two-sheep system increased. Approximately half of the keds leaving the sheep with a high dissemination potential did not reach a second host. It thus acted as a disinfecting agent.

Bird and host predation were discounted as factors in causing ked population change.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 48 , Issue 3-4 , November 1958 , pp. 353 - 363
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1958

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References

Evans, G. O. (1950). Studies on the bionomics of the sheep ked, Melophagus ovinus L., in west Wales. Bull. Ent. Res. 40, 459–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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Graham, N. P. H. & Taylor, K. L. (1941). Studies on some ectoparasites of sheep and their control. I. Observations on the bionomics of sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus L.). Pamphl. Coun. Sci. Industr. Res. Austr. no. 108, pp. 7, 9–26.Google Scholar