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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasit Vectors / Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equid...
Parasites & vectors2015; 8; 604; doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1182-x

Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equids from Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom?

Abstract: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) cause a significant biting nuisance to equines and are responsible for the biological transmission of African horse sickness virus (AHSV). While currently restricted in distribution to sub-Saharan Africa, AHSV has a history of emergence into southern Europe and causes one of the most lethal diseases of horses and other species of Equidae. In the event of an outbreak of AHSV, the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to screen equine accomodation is recommended by competent authorities including the Office International des Épizooties (OIE) in order to reduce vector-host contact. Methods: Seven commercially avaliable pyrethroid insecticides and three repellent compounds, all of which are licensed for amateur use, were assessed in modified World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay trials in the laboratory using a colony line of Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen), 1830. Two field trials were subsequently conducted to test the efficiency of treated net screens in preventing entry of Culicoides. Results: A formulation of cypermethrin (0.15 % w/w) and pyrethrins (0.2 % w/w) (Tri-Tec 14®, LS Sales (Farnham) Ltd, Bloxham, UK) applied to black polyvinyl-coated polyester insect screen (1.6 mm aperture; 1.6 mm thickness) inflicted 100 % mortality on batches of C. nubeculosus following a three minute exposure in the WHO cone bioassays at 1, 7 and 14 days post-treatment. Tri-Tec 14® outperformed all other treatments tested and was subsequently selected for use in field trials. The first trial demonstrated that treated screens placed around an ultraviolet light-suction trap entirely prevented Culicoides being collected, despite their collection in identical traps with untreated screening or no screening. The second field trial examined entry of Culicoides into stables containing horses and found that while the insecticide treated screens reduced entry substantially, there was still a small risk of exposure to biting. Conclusions: Screened stables can be utilised as part of an integrated control program in the event of an AHSV outbreak in order to reduce vector-host contact and may also be applicable to protection of horses from Culicoides during transport.
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Publication Date: 2015-11-25 PubMed ID: 26607993PubMed Central: PMC4660720DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1182-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates if the application of insecticide on netting can protect horses from disease transmitting Culicoides midges in the UK. The study demonstrated that a particular formulation of insecticide effectively killed the Culicoides midges and could reduce their entry into stables, indicating its potential for an integrated control program.

Research Methods

  • The researchers tested seven commercially available pyrethroid insecticides and three repellent compounds in laboratory settings using the World Health Organization cone bioassay trials with a colony line of Culicoides nubeculosus, a species of biting midge.
  • After finding the most effective insecticide, they conducted two field trials to test the efficacy of the insecticide-treated net screens in real-world conditions.

Research Results

  • In the lab trials, a formulation of cypermethrin and pyrethrins called Tri-Tec 14, applied to black polyvinyl-coated polyester insect screen, led to 100% mortality of the midges following a three-minute exposure, one week and two weeks after the application.
  • In the first field trial, it was found that the screens treated with Tri-Tec 14 prevented any Culicoides from being collected in ultraviolet light-suction traps, unlike the traps with untreated screens or no screens.
  • In the second field trial, it was observed that while the insecticide-treated screens considerably reduced the entry of midges into horse stables, there was still a minor risk of exposure to bites.

Research Conclusions

  • The study concluded that stables fitted with insecticide-treated screens can be used as part of a control program during an outbreak of the African horse sickness virus to minimize contact between the vector and the host.
  • The method could potentially be used to protect horses from Culicoides midges during transport as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Baker T, Carpenter S, Gubbins S, Newton R, Lo Iacono G, Wood J, Harrup LE. (2015). Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equids from Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom? Parasit Vectors, 8, 604. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-1182-x

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 604

Researcher Affiliations

Baker, Tiffany
  • University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK. tadriman@btinternet.com.
  • Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. tadriman@btinternet.com.
Carpenter, Simon
  • Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. simon.carpenter@pirbright.ac.uk.
Gubbins, Simon
  • Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. simon.gubbins@pirbright.ac.uk.
Newton, Richard
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK. richard.newton@aht.org.uk.
Lo Iacono, Giovanni
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK. Gianni.Loiacono@phe.gov.uk.
Wood, James
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK. jlnw2@cam.ac.uk.
Harrup, Lara Ellen
  • Vector-borne Viral Diseases Programme, The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK. lara.harrup@pirbright.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
  • African Horse Sickness Virus / physiology
  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / drug effects
  • Ceratopogonidae / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Insecticide-Treated Bednets / veterinary
  • Insecticides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Pyrethrins / pharmacology
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • BBS/E/I/00001445 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • BBS/E/I/00001701 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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