Effects of cattle treatment with a fluazuron pour-on on survival and reproduction of the dung beetle species Onthophagus gazella (Fabricius)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2007
Authors:U. Kryger, Deschodt, C., Davis, A. L. V., Scholtz, C. H.
Journal:Veterinary Parasitology
Volume:143
Pagination:380-384
Keywords:Acaricide, Benzoylphenyl urea, Boophilus decoloratus, dung beetle, ecotoxicological effect, Fluazuron, Onthophagus gazella
Abstract:

While resistance against many other classes of acaricides has been described, products containing benzoylphenyl urea are currently still successfully used against the pesticide-resistant blue tick (Boophilus decoloratus) in South Africa. In order to assess any adverse impact of these tickicides on the important dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) fauna, a bioassay was undertaken on the ecotoxicological effects of a fluazuron (benzoylphenyl urea) pour-on formulation (Acatak1) on the survival and reproduction of the African dung beetles species Onthophagus gazella (Fabricius). The experiment yielded no significant differences in adult or larval survival, egg production, fecundity and fertility between the control and treatment group following three beetle generations over. These results suggested that treatment of cattle with the fluazuron pour-on formulation Acatak1 was not detrimental to the selected dung beetle species in any notable way.

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