An information pamphlet - "Consider your Dung Beetles when using Parasiticides" is available to download here.

Guidelines for Minimising the Impact of  Veterinary Chemicals

on Dung Beetles

A. Biddle B. ScV, T. Morrison B. App. Sc (Sys Ag) & P. Wilson B. EnvSc

Introduction

The actions of dung beetles have the potential to not only disperse dung and improve soil structure and fertility, they can also assist with the control of parasites and flies through the removal of  dung.

Recommendations

Alternative approaches to chemicals

• Monitor parasite levels through the use of  faecal egg counts to determine if  treatment is required.
• Determine thresholds for parasites such as buffalo fly and do not treat until these levels are reached. This will target treatment times and decrease treatments.
• Regularly reassess parasite thresholds in light of  changing seasonal variations.
• Utilise Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
• Use “off animal” chemical attractants and baits.
• The use of  traps.
• Vaccines.
• Genetic selection of animals resistant or resilient to parasites.

Do you need to treat?

Selection of  the appropriate product

• Check the label directions for use.
• Consider all drench groups which are not harmful to dung beetles.
• Benzimidazoles (eg. Albendazole)
• Levamisole
• Moxidectin

None of  the compounds comprising the BLM (Benzimidazole-Levamisole-Morantel) group  appears to have significant impact on the survival of  dung feeding organisms (Wardhaugh, K.G.).

• Consider all chemical groups when choosing an external parasiticide.
• Some of the macro-cyclic lactones have a beetle friendly   label.
• Synthetic Pyrethroids (SPs) A single pour-on treatment of  deltamethrin may reduce beetle activity in the next generation by more than 70% if the time of  application coincides with peak beetle emergence in the spring (Wardhaugh, K.G.). Winter application may be safe.

“Although available data is limited, SPs, because of  their adulticide properties, appear to   constitute a class of  chemicals which pose the greatest threat to our dung fauna” (Wardhaugh, K.G.)

Organophosphates (OPs) (diazinon etc.) Available data is difficult to assess but it appears they are less harmful than several Sps. From a grazier’s standpoint this knowledge gap needs to be rectified as a   matter of  urgency (Wardhaugh, K.G.)

• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) (e.g. diflubenzuron) act by disrupting insect development. They have been little studied but the limited data available suggests that they are active against fly larvae but have little effect on beetles (Wardhaugh, K.G.)
• Consider methods of  application when treating buffalo or common fly.
• The use of  insecticidal tags for buffalo fly rather than chemical sprays and backrubbers. The tags act by repelling insects. As chemical spreads through the fleece hide this may reduce absorption minimising systemic activity compared to use of  chemical sprays and backrubbers. As a result very little chemical will be present in dung to harm beetles. Tags are available containing OP and SP chemicals.
• Timing of  chemical application. Application of chemicals which may harm dung beetles should be avoided during periods of critical dung beetle activity (such as emergence periods).
• Have a plan. With your animal health advisor prepare an annual plan for the health of  your  livestock which also considers the health of  dung beetles. If they can’t help you  find someon who can.

By maximising dung beetle activity we minimise fly breeding sites and may reduce the need for chemical treatments. This saves you money and protects the environment.

This publication is a guide to the usage of  veterinary chemicals, please contact an animal health professional, Ne England Livestock Health and Pest Authority for further information. The Northern Tablelands Dung Beetles Express acknowledges the assistance and advice of  Keith Wardhaugh.

References

Wardhaugh, K.G. 2002  Insecticidal activity of  antiparasitic drugs other than macro cyclic lactones in Workshop on the effects of veterinary parasiticides on dung beetles - Report of Proceedings.  CSIRO Entomology Technical Report 9. Canberra. Australia. 37pp

Wardhaugh, K.G. 2001  Contracted Report No. 56. Parasiticides registered for use in cattle in Australia - an annotated bibliography and literature guide prepared for the National Dung Beetle Forum  CSIRO Entomology. Canberra.