Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the primary consequences of flystrike for sheep farming productivity?
What are the primary consequences of flystrike for sheep farming productivity?
Loss of productivity and increased treatment costs.
Name the five types of flystrike and identify which ones are most prevalent.
Name the five types of flystrike and identify which ones are most prevalent.
Body strike, breech strike, poll strike, pizzle strike, and the fifth is less commonly mentioned.
How does the environment affect the risk of flystrike in sheep?
How does the environment affect the risk of flystrike in sheep?
Environmental conditions determine the likelihood of flystrike occurrences.
What is the primary blowfly species responsible for flystrike in sheep?
What is the primary blowfly species responsible for flystrike in sheep?
Describe the adult Australian sheep blowfly's physical characteristics.
Describe the adult Australian sheep blowfly's physical characteristics.
What role does the hairy maggot fly play in the lifecycle of flystrike?
What role does the hairy maggot fly play in the lifecycle of flystrike?
How long does it typically take for blowfly eggs to hatch into larvae?
How long does it typically take for blowfly eggs to hatch into larvae?
What is the size progression of blowfly larvae from hatching to maturity?
What is the size progression of blowfly larvae from hatching to maturity?
When do blowfly larvae typically drop off the sheep to pupate?
When do blowfly larvae typically drop off the sheep to pupate?
What is the average lifespan of adult blowflies?
What is the average lifespan of adult blowflies?
What is the maximum distance that adult blowflies typically travel from their hatching site?
What is the maximum distance that adult blowflies typically travel from their hatching site?
What type of feed is essential for female blowflies before they can lay eggs?
What type of feed is essential for female blowflies before they can lay eggs?
What is the role of temperature in the activity level of L.cuprina?
What is the role of temperature in the activity level of L.cuprina?
How does wind speed affect the flight activity of blowflies?
How does wind speed affect the flight activity of blowflies?
What was the percentage of strike incidence at Mount Barker Research Station in September 1978?
What was the percentage of strike incidence at Mount Barker Research Station in September 1978?
Why is it important to monitor even low numbers of L.cuprina in blowfly traps?
Why is it important to monitor even low numbers of L.cuprina in blowfly traps?
Which environmental factor does NOT promote blowfly activity?
Which environmental factor does NOT promote blowfly activity?
What are two strategies that can help reduce the risk of flystrike?
What are two strategies that can help reduce the risk of flystrike?
What is the relationship between the abundance of L.cuprina and flystrikes?
What is the relationship between the abundance of L.cuprina and flystrikes?
How do sheep type and management strategies impact susceptibility to flystrike?
How do sheep type and management strategies impact susceptibility to flystrike?
Study Notes
Impact of Flystrike
- Flystrike negatively affects enterprise profitability through productivity loss and increased treatment costs.
- Reducing flystrike risks benefits sheep health, worker safety, and overall farm productivity.
- Five types of flystrike exist, with body and breech strikes being the most common.
Predicting Flystrike Risk
- Prediction of flystrike risk is influenced by environmental conditions and sheep susceptibility.
- Understanding the biology of the Australian blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, aids in effective prediction.
Biology of the Australian Blowfly
- L. cuprina initiates about 90% of flystrikes; characterized by a copper green color and reddish eyes.
- Adult blowflies are approximately 10 mm in length and produce smooth-skinned white maggots.
- Damaged tissues from flystrike wounds attract other fly species, notably the hairy maggot fly, Chrysomya rufifacies.
- C. rufifacies is blue-green, 10 mm long, and is a secondary invader in existing flystrike wounds.
Life Cycle and Behavior
- Adult blowflies live roughly two to three weeks; eggs hatch into larvae in 12-24 hours.
- Larvae grow from pinhead size to 10-15 mm within about three days before dropping off the sheep to pupate.
- Adult flies typically do not travel more than three kilometers during their lifespan.
Environmental Conditions for Flystrike
- Even low numbers of L. cuprina can lead to significant flystrikes if conditions are favorable.
- The strike incidence can be high despite low fly populations, indicating the need for vigilance.
- Optimal temperatures for blowfly activity range from 26°C to 38°C; development slows below 15°C.
- Wind speeds above 9 km/h reduce activity, with no flying occurring at speeds over 30 km/h.
Sheep Susceptibility
- The susceptibility of sheep to flystrike is influenced by environmental factors, breed types, and management practices.
Risk Management Strategies
- Long-term genetic options can permanently mitigate flystrike risk.
- Short-term husbandry measures are available to manage and reduce flystrike risk effectively.
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Description
This quiz explores the effects of flystrike on sheep and its implications for farm profitability. Understand the types of flystrike and learn about effective prevention and treatment strategies to enhance animal health and business efficiency.
