VALUE OF A SYSTEMIC INSECT GROWTH-REGULATOR, LUFENURON, ADMINISTERED ORALLY IN THE CONTROL OF CTENOCEPHALIDES-FELIS

Twenty five dogs oi various breeds, weighing between 2.5 and 34 kg, we re used in two trials carried out during the summer of 1991 and spring of 1992 respectively. In both trials, 50 Ctenocephalides felis were p laced weekly on each dog over a period of four weeks. The development of the flea populations in the treated animals was compared with that in untreated controls. The oral administration of Lufenuron (Piogrom(R )) before each infestation in dosages of al least 10 mg/kg every four weeks provided complete control of the Reo populations. Fleas had almo st completely disappeared two to three weeks after the last infestatio n. Under the same conditions, the control animals harboured on average 80 fleas al the end of the trial in the summer, and 40 fleas in the s pring. The results provided information on the fate of fleas following initial experimental infestation. Five days after the first infestati on, only 27 % of the 1,300 fleas deposited survived and escaped groomi ng. The results also showed that in treated animals, in the absence of re-infestation, the 800 fleas deposited on the 28th day did no; persi st for more than two to three weeks in the dogs' coats.