Pour-on insecticides for the control of cattle lice (Linognathus vituli and Damalinia bovis)

Authors: Pearce DM, Kettle PR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 22, Issue 5, pp 76-77, May 1974
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Pest/pesticides, Agricultural compounds, Parasites - external
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Systemic insecticides were first used in the treatment of cattle lice in 1947 when 2-pivalyl-1-1, 3-indandione was administered orally to cattle infested with the short-nosed cattle louse (Haematopinus eurysternus). Unfortunately the extrapolation of toxicological data from laboratory animals to field conditions proved faulty and the cattle died (Bushland et al 1963). Dermal systemic insecticides were developed to combmat cattle grubs and were at first applied directly to the sites of infestation. Work in this field began in 1955 (Bushland et al 1963). Two of the earliest chemicals used, Ronnel® (dimethyl 2,4,5-trichlorolphenyl phosphorothionate) and Ruelene`R) (4-tertiary butyl-2-chlorophenyl methyl-N-methylpholsphoramidate) are used currently as pour-ons – Rolac® and Crumate®, respectively. Initially pour-on insecticides were generally recommended for use against cattle lice using a schedule involving two treatments 14 to 20 days apart but the trend has been toward developing a satisfactory one-treatment formulation. Efficacy data of recently introduced formulations are presented below.

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