COMPARATIVE SURVIVAL OF 1ST-STAGE LARVAE OF SMALL LUNGWORMS MUELLERIUS-CAPILLARIS AND NEOSTRONGYLUS-LINEARIS OF GOATS IN ALFALFA AND RYEGRASS PLOTS

Faeces from a goat infected with M capillaris and from another infecte d with N linearis were used to assess survival of first-stage larvae u nder natural conditions in northwest France in mid-autumn, at the high -risk period. The faeces were deposited on 3 plots covered respectivel y with ryegrass, short cut alfalfa and high alfalfa. The desiccation o f faeces and survival of larvae were tested at 1, 7, 14 and 21-d inter vals. Survival of M capillaris was much higher than that of N linearis in all plots. The lower desiccations were observed in the high alfalf a plot whereas the best survivals were found in the 2 other plots. Veg etation where faeces are deposited may thus play a part in the accumul ation of parasitic risk on a pasture.