CONTROL OF BLOWFLY STRIKE IN SHEEP - CURRENT STRATEGIES AND FUTURE-PROSPECTS

Blowfly strike is a cutaneous myiasis in sheep caused by infestations of larvae principally from the family Calliphoridae, particularly the species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata. These larval infestation s cause considerable economic losses to the wool industry. Established control methods have served the industry well in the past, but there are growing deficiencies with these methods. In particular, there is w idespread resistance to organophosphorus insecticides and potential di fficulties associated with the presence of chemical residues derived f rom insecticides in wool and waste products which must be disposed of by the industry. There is also growing opposition to the radical surgi cal procedures used to decrease the susceptibility of sheep to blowfly strike. Consequently, there is a need for the development of alternat ive control measures. This review examines critically the present cont rol methods and discusses the range of options available for the devel opment of new control strategies. Many of the latter involve novel app roaches which will strongly complement current control measures. (C) 1 997 Australian Society for Parasitology.