IN-VITRO COMPARISON OF THE LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY OF MOXIDECTIN AND ABAMECTIN AGAINST ONTHOPHAGUS-GAZELLA (F) (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE) AND HAEMATOBIA-IRRITANS-EXIGUA DEMEIJERE (DIPTERA, MUSCIDAE)

When incorporated directly into cattle dung, a formulation of moxidect in was less toxic to larvae of the dung beetle Onthophagus gazella and the buffalo fly, Haematobia irritans exigua, than an abamectin formul ation. Concentrations of moxidectin 64-fold greater than abamectin con centrations were required to produce equivalent toxicities. Neither mo xidectin nor abamectin reduced oviposition by 0. gazella. Moxidectin m ay consequently be less likely than abamectin to affect the decomposit ion of cattle dung but may have less effect on buffalo fly infestation s.