Protection of horse ears against Simulid parasitism: Efficacy of a mammal semiochemical solution over 10hours.
Abstract: Hematophagous insects can be vectors of pathogens and cause significant economic loss in zootechnical production. Among biting insects, many dipteran species feed on horse blood. The black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) group, is responsible for several disorders in horses and inflicts painful bites that lead to undesirable behaviours in horses, particularly when bites occur in sensitive areas such as the inner ear. A field study was conducted in a French equestrian center during which a semiochemical was applied on horses' ears to assess repellent efficacy against simulid infestation. During the first phase of the study, efficacy was evaluated over a one hour period. Then, during the second phase of the study, persistency of the effect was tested at 8, 9 and 10h after application. The results of the study's first phase showed 90% efficacy over one hour, with 121.5 insects found in control ears and 12 insects in treated ears (p=0.001). In the second phase of the study, a total amount of 411 insects were observed on control ears whereas only 2 insects were observed on treated ears (p<0.0001); the treatment remained over 98% effective up to 10hours after application. When using a slow release excipient, this semiochemical may offer at least 10h of protection against simulids. This safe, efficient, and long lasting protection could help horses and their owners to manage simulid parasitism.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-07-09 PubMed ID: 27523931DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers conducted a study assessing the effectiveness of a semiochemical solution in protecting horses’ ears against infestation by parasitic black flies. The results demonstrated the solution remained over 98% effective for up to 10 hours after application.
Introduction to the Research
- The research focuses on hematophagous (blood-feeding) insects that pose a threat to horses, particularly the black fly group. These insects not only inflict painful bites on sensitive areas like the inner ear but also transmit pathogens, causing disorders in horses and economic loss to horse owners.
- To mitigate these effects, researchers applied a semiochemical solution to horses’ ears in an equestrian center in France. The intention was to determine the level of protection the solution could provide against infestation by the parasites.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study was divided into two phases. In the initial phase, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the semiochemical over a period of one hour.
- In the second phase, the persistence of the repellent effect was assessed at 8, 9, and 10 hours after application.
- During both phases, the condition of the treated and control (untreated) ears was compared.
Research Findings
- The results from the first phase showed an impressive 90% efficacy of the solution over one hour. The treated ears had significantly fewer black flies compared to the control ears.
- In the second phase, the semiochemical maintained a similar level of effectiveness, with the semiochemical-treated ears harboring noticeably fewer insects compared to the untreated ones even 10 hours after application.
- The statistical analysis of these results showed that there was significant inhibition of black flies’ infestation by the semiochemical solution (p-value < 0.001 in the first phase and p-value < 0.0001 in the second).
Conclusions
- As per the findings, the semiochemical solution provides effective and long-lasting protection, for at least 10 hours, against the parasitic black flies infestation on horses’ ears.
- This could be a significant asset for horse owners, helping them manage the parasitism problem more efficiently and safely.
Cite This Article
APA
Creton B, Pageat P, Robejean M, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Cozzi A.
(2016).
Protection of horse ears against Simulid parasitism: Efficacy of a mammal semiochemical solution over 10hours.
Vet Parasitol, 227, 15-19.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- IRSEA, Quartier Salignan 84400 Apt, France. Electronic address: b.creton@group-irsea.com.
- IRSEA, Quartier Salignan 84400 Apt, France. Electronic address: p.pageat@group-irsea.com.
- IRSEA, Quartier Salignan 84400 Apt, France.
- IRSEA, Quartier Salignan 84400 Apt, France. Electronic address: c.lecuelle@group-irsea.com.
- IRSEA, Quartier Salignan 84400 Apt, France. Electronic address: a.cozzi@group-irsea.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Insect Repellents / pharmacology
- Mustelidae / metabolism
- Myiasis / prevention & control
- Myiasis / veterinary
- Pheromones / pharmacology
- Simuliidae / drug effects
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Poldy J. Volatile Cues Influence Host-Choice in Arthropod Pests. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 28;10(11).
- Lamy A, Durairaj R, Pageat P. Chemosensory Receptors in Vertebrates: Structure and Computational Modeling Insights. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jul 10;26(14).
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