Our studies are identifying practical, cost-effective, and readily adoptable solutions that will aid dairy and beef cattle producers in reducing the significant impact of pasture flies on their cattle.

The face fly and horn fly are the predominant arthropod pests of pastured cattle in the U.S. In recent years, the stable fly has emerged as a serious threat of pastured cattle as well. These flies, as well as horse flies, form a diverse and difficult-to-manage pest complex that significantly affects pastured dairy and beef cattle. The pending removal of many of the few remaining insecticides registered for pasture fly control will create a crisis for the U.S. dairy and beef industry. It is crucial to have an effective, integrated approach to addressing this pest complex.

We are continuing to evaluate new trapping technologies against stable and horse flies. We recently developed a targeted-application automatic sprayer for use against face and stable flies that utilizes a pyrethroid formulation. We are also developing rearing techniques for the beetle parasitoid Aleochara tristis and plan to evaluate its impact on pasture fly populations. We are also investigating the use of NZI/Foil targets (insecticide-treated) 1 meter fabric targets for the control of stable flies and face flies on pastured animals along with conducting a survey of the dung beetle fauna (predators and competitorsof horn flies and face flies) of dairy cattle pastures in NY.

Our studies are identifying practical, cost-effective, and readily adoptable solutions that will aid dairy and beef cattle producers both commercial and organic in reducing the significant impact of pasture flies on their cattle.

Veterinary Entomology

• Keith Waldron (NYS IPM)
• Dr. Wes Watson (North Carolina State Univ)
• Dr. Phil Kaufman (Univ. of Florida)