Mortality of Culicoides brevitarsis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Fed on Cattle Treated with Ivermectin

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Abstract
Adult Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer, an important vector of arboviruses affecting livestock in Australia, were fed on cattle which had been subcutaneously injected with ivermectin, a systemic insecticide, at a dose of 200 µg/kg. The mean mortality of engorged insects 48 h after feeding was 99% for 10 days post treatment, whereas in one animal it exceeded 47% for 24 days. The results of the study indicate that ivermectin administered subcutaneously could be a useful tool for the control of outbreaks of Culicoides -transmitted disease, and would provide an attractive alternative to “slaughter out” programs in the case of a major exotic disease threat.