Low-level feeding of ronnel in a mineral salt mixture for area control of the face fly, Musca autumnalis deg. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

Preliminary experiments in Virginia by Wallace and Turner (1961) on face fly control indicated that there was some promise using low-level feeding of a chemical such as ronnel in a mineral salt mixture as a larvicide.

In cooperation with the Moorman Manufacturing Company and Mr. H. C. Stuart of Elk Garden, Virginia, a large scale experiment was initiated in the spring of 1962 .

Approximately 1600 head of cattle in 23 pastures were utilized in this experiment. All of the pastures received a mineral salt mixture containing 5.5 percent ronnel with the exception of two pastures on the perimeter of the treated area that received no ronnel and were used as checks. Adult and larval counts were made on 7 of the 23 treated pastures and both of the untreated pastures.

Results indicated that: (1) In spite of good larval control adult fly counts remained high, especially in treated pastures near untreated areas. Apparently the face fly has a natural tendency for dispersion, and, therefore, area control by low-level feeding of salt containing a larvicide is difficult. (2) When the consumption of ronnel remained above 5.5 mg per kg of animal body weight per day, larval control was above 95 percent. (3) During hot, dry periods animals reduced their salt consumption and this resulted in decreased larval control. (4) When salt boxes were placed in areas where cattle were seldom seen to frequent, salt consumption was lowered, as was larval control.