Fungal Biopesticide for cattle tick and buffalo fly control

Abstract

Cattle ticks and buffalo flies impose significant economic burdens on the Northern Australian cattle and dairy industries. With the increased temperatures expected under climate change the range of parasites such as these is likely to extend. Current control options for these ectoparasites are limited by problems associated with chemical resistance and residues. Fungal biopesticides offer a sustainable and promising alternative method of control. Laboratory and animal studies have established the potential for the fungus Metarhizium in tick control and provided data that suggests a secondary effect of buffalo fly control is possible. Small field trials are required to obtain a proof of concept for the control of ticks and buffalo flies on animals.