Buffalo fly control

GJ Sibson, Biosecurity, Centre for Wet Tropics Agriculture

On this page:

• Incidence of buffalo fly

• Effect on cattle
• Chemical resistance
• Control strategies
• The options available
• Chemical control methods

Cattle producers throughout Northern Australia regard buffalo fly as a

serious pest. In all recent cattle industry surveys, producers have
nominated buffalo fly as the major parasite problem of cattle.
Increased resistance to the synthetic pyrethroid (SP) range of chemicals
by the buffalo fly population has meant that the effectiveness of some
chemicals is greatly reduced. Combined with this, the prevalence of
buffalo fly has fluctuated further south over recent years. At the same time
chemical residues are becoming increasingly important in all food
markets. The buffalo fly
(Haematobia irritans exigua)

Incidence of buffalo fly

In Queensland, buffalo fly has a similar geographical distribution to that of the cattle tick occurring
along the coast and across the north. The heaviest populations occur in the wet tropics. Mild winters
and wet summers permit a southern and western spread into normally free areas.
In northern Queensland, the main fly season extends from November to April with lower numbers
present for the rest of the year. In southern Queensland, the main season is usually shorter with flies
disappearing from most areas during winter although some may overwinter in protected coastal
areas.

Effect on cattle
Buffalo fly irritate cattle, interrupting feeding and causing sores especially when infestations are
high. Trials in the wet tropics have shown that buffalo fly can reduce beef cattle production by up to
16%. A small parasitic worm (Stephanofilaria spp.) is associated with buffalo fly bites and causes
skin lesions. Sores from buffalo fly infestations result in permanent hide damage therefore
decreasing the value of the hide. These lesions may also restrict access of stock to the live export
trade.
Dark coated cattle, bulls, older cattle and those in poor condition usually attract the heaviest
infestations of fly. Bos indicus cattle seem to carry high numbers but do not appear to be as severely
affected as other breeds.
Chemical resistance
Chemical resistance is usually seen in the field as a reduced protection period. Trials undertaken in
1993 showed resistance to SPs was widespread. There was cross resistance between all SPs (ie if
flies were resistant to one SP chemical they were also resistant to other SP chemicals). There was
little evidence of resistance to organophosphate (OP) chemicals.

Control strategies
The current buffalo fly control strategies aim to:
• reduce buffalo fly numbers to acceptable levels to prevent production loss
• provide for welfare considerations
• minimise chemical residue risks
• reduce the reliance on chemicals by utilising control with alternative methods
• target treatment costs and consider alternative treatments for different herd groups.

The options available

1. Use non chemical control wherever possible.
• Control fly without chemicals such as the Buffalo Fly Tunnel Trap, dung beetles and
tolerating some fly burdens will help to minimise resistance problems and reduce possible
residue risks.
2. Where chemical control is necessary.
• Monitor fly numbers
• Delay treatment of beef cattle until fly worry is obvious on the focus animals (those most
susceptible to flies eg. bulls) or when animals are carrying in excess of 200 flies per animal
(100 per side). High producing dairy cattle may require treatment at lower levels of
infestation.
3. Use self treatment methods.
• Use the effective OP chemicals in backrubbers or insecticidal ear tags during the peak
buffalo fly season.
• Other options are the Ficam Gold dustbag or Buffalo Fly Tunnel Trap.
4. Use of OP Sprays.
• OP chemicals can be utilised for opportunistic spray treatments when cattle are in yards for
other husbandry purposes. They may also be required if there are excessive fly numbers on
cattle prior to commencing or following self treatment control methods.
5. Coordinate with neighbours.
• Use the same chemicals and treat at the same time as your neighbours.

Chemical control methods

Chemical use should aim to limit the spread of resistance and control its development. Correct
application of registered products for the control of buffalo fly is a critical component in the
strategy to delay the development of resistance. If products are used according to manufacturers
label directions, the amount and concentration applied should be sufficient to control susceptible
populations of buffalo fly.
Failure to observe the directions in regard to mixing rates and/or application method will lead to the
application of sub-lethal levels of active ingredient; a recipe for selecting for resistance.
Combining incorrect mixing and/or application with increased frequency of application and the
selection pressure for resistance rises further. Furthermore, there is an increasing risk of chemical
residues in meat products.

See also:
• Buffalo fly in beef cattle: Losses in production

Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to
specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries
and Fisheries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in
this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make
appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject
matter.

Last updated 10 June 2005

Control of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua de Meijere) on dairy and beef
cattle using traps

RW Sutherst and RS Tozer

Abstract

The design and testing of traps are described for control of the buffalo fly Haematobia irritans
exigua on dairy and beef cattle in Australia. The initial design, for use on milking cows, consisted of
a translucent, plastic-covered tunnel, with compartments separated by plastic partitions and
doorways with black shade-cloth curtains. The curtains brushed flies off the cattle as they passed
through the tunnel. The flies were attracted to the light and ascended the walls to be confined in the
dome-shaped roof. The traps removed 80% of the flies each time the cattle passed through them.
During farm trials in 1990-91, fly numbers (8) on milking cows were reduced by 85% compared
with those (94) on other cattle on the same farm, and by 65% compared with neighbouring milking
cows (30), which received an average of three pesticide treatments. Breeding of buffalo fly was
reduced by 81% on the pastures grazed by milking cattle using the traps. In 1992 and 1993, a
smaller portable trap was developed for use by all types of cattle. Replacement of the shade-cloth
curtains with brushes and addition of a translucent false ceiling increased the efficiency of the trap
from 80 to 90%. The traps achieved 90% control on five dairy and two beef properties compared
with cattle given traditional pesticide treatments. The results demonstrate the feasibility of
controlling Haematobia without insecticides, by using a simple, sustainable and environmentally
friendly trap, provided that cattle use the traps regularly.
Buffalo fly trap
1992
low-tech way to rid cattle of insects

Buffalo flies are a serious problem for dairy cattle in tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Hundreds
of flies bite each cow every day, causing irritation and lowering milk production. The cows develop
sores and injure themselves as they scratch the bites by rubbing against trees and fences. Pesticides
to control the flies are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, and flies are developing resistance
to them.

In 1991 the CSIRO developed a better solution, a fly trap. The trap consists of a translucent plastic
tent with a dark inner tunnel lined with brushes. When a cow walks through, the flies are brushed
off. They fly upwards toward the light and become trapped in the solar-heated plastic dome. There
they quickly die from desiccation (drying out) and fall to the ground, where ants eat them.

The trap has been a great success with cattle, which soon start lining up to use it. It was originally
developed with financial assistance from the Dairy Research and Development Corporation, then
commercialised in 1992 by Country Industries Australia. Variations of the fly trap have also been
developed for beef cattle.
Who Did It?
Key Organisations
CSIRO Division of Entomology : R&D, design
Country Industries Australia Pty Ltd : manufacture
Key People
Robert Sutherst : research and development
Robert Tozer : research and development
Further Reading
'Cows give flies the slip'
Ian Anderson
New Scientist, 14 December 1991, Science & Education, p 3.

- How It Works -
As the host animal enters the trap, there is a significant change in light intensity sufficient to
cause the Buffalo Flies to leave their host and 'fly to a more lighted place'. You can see this effect
in a herd when a cow goes to lie down or when two cows come close to each other. All the flies
on the affected area of the animal where the light changes to shadow will suddenly fly off.
Once airborne in the tunnel they are attracted to the brighter light coming in through the slits and
will fly towards that light-source. They are then caught in the capture chambers along either side
of the tunnel where they quickly expire due to exhaustion.

The original Buffalo Fly Trap was developed by CSIRO and tested extensively by the
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. In its original form the invention was definitely
worthwhile but our in-house research and development team have managed to improve the
effectiveness of the trap as well as tackling the four main problems with the original design
to produce a unit that is considerably more advanced and effective in several ways:

************* Our TEN PERCENT IMPROVEMENT in Capture Rate: *************

The statistics on the original CSIRO design indicated a capture rate of 60 to 80 percent. So, a unit
was constructed according to their specifications and tested extensively. Our statistics on their
design showed a 65 percent decrease in fly numbers after ten days, which is a decrease of two
thirds.
Then, after extensive research and development by our own team, it was discovered that a few
subtle changes to the shape and size of the light-slits and the width of the tunnel brought about a
significant increase in the capture rate to about 75 percent or three quarters of fly volume after
the same ten day period:
.......................... a TEN PERCENT IMPROVEMENT over the original design.

Other Significant Improvements:

1. There was an initial reluctance for cattle to go through the tunnel.

To improve this situation we added a pair of panels dubbed 'approach wings' on either end that
offers a more approachable environment which the cattle are probably more used to and which
act to guide them into and through the trap more readily. During testing we observed several
cattle who approached the trap but stopped between the wings as though they were unsure about
going through. As other cattle approached them from behind it became evident that they had to
decide to either turn around within the wings and 'go back' or 'go through'. Most opted to go
through the tunnel. And observing this, those approaching from behind often followed without
much hesitation.
We saw this as a major improvement over the original structure where the cattle could simply
walk to the side and avoid the decision to enter or turn back.
N.B. The approach wings are not meant to be an impenetrable fence. They only act to guide the
animals in a non-threatening way. They also act to stabilise the unit from wind or other forces
that might dislodge or move it.

2. The original unit was too heavy to be moved by one man.

We have replaced the heavy ply sides and top with Poly Plastic which is just as effective and
much lighter. We have also improved the shape and weight of the capture chambers. The end
result is a unit that can be lifted onto a ute or truck for relocation by one man without
disassembly.

3. Flies that entered the trap were able to escape by the same route.

The original square trap had a long slit that admitted the flies into the trap as they rose upward
towards a stronger light source. But flies were then able to drop down and go back out of the trap
and many were lost as a result.

The "V" shaped trap we have developed does not allow the flies to find their way back out of the
trap. This ensures a far greater capture rate than previously recorded.

4. The original design did not allow emptying.

We have added a 'tear-off' velcro tab that allows the operator to quickly and easily empty the
build-up of expired flies.

How to Set up and Implement your Buffalo Fly Trap

 Choose a place where the cattle will pass regularly. This may be a gateway or path to water or
supplement feed. In some cases it may be necessary to fence off a water-point so that in order to
gain access, all cattle must pass through a gateway and thus through the trap.
(N.B. This form of trap is not suitable for paddocks where cattle can drink from a creek or river
as there is no way to get them to pass through it, unless there is a well used pathway.)
Set up the tunnel in place. Cattle may be hesitant to enter initially but eventually one will
scamper through and the rest will quickly follow.
Once the cattle are used to traversing the trap you will note a considerable drop in Buffalo Fly
numbers to such a degree that they will no longer be considered a significant menace. The
number of flies will vary according to how regularly the cattle pass through the trap.
Please email sales@aussiepanelking.com for further details and the latest pricing of our Buffalo
Fly Tunnel Trap:-
or Telephone: 0430398577 during office hours.