Questions and Answers
What is the approximate annual cost of flystrike to Australian sheep farming?
The Australian sheep blowfly is responsible for over 90% of flystrike incidents.
True
Name one type of flystrike that is considered prevalent and important.
Body strike or breech strike
The main species responsible for flystrike is the Australian sheep ______.
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Match the following types of flystrike with their characteristics:
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What color is the Australian sheep blowfly?
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The hairy maggot fly initiates flystrike.
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What is a significant health risk to Australian sheep that impacts profitability?
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The adult Australian sheep blowfly is approximately _____ millimeters long.
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Match the following flies with their characteristics:
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What is the typical lifespan of adult flies?
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Larvae grow from pin head size to 10-15mm in length within about three days.
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How many days does the life cycle take to maturity in warm weather?
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Adult flies will normally not travel more than ______ from where they hatch during their life span.
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What temperature range is ideal for flystrike?
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Flies are most active below 15°C.
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What is a common source of protein that female flies need for reproductive organ maturity?
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Wind speeds above ______ will reduce flight activity of flies.
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Match the sheep type with the susceptibility scenario:
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Name one of the environmental conditions that affects sheep susceptibility to flystrike.
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Study Notes
Overview of Flystrike
- Flystrike is a major health risk for Australian sheep, costing approximately $280 million annually.
- Active monitoring and management are essential to prevent productivity losses and ensure animal welfare.
Impact on Profitability
- Flystrike affects profitability through lost productivity in struck animals and increased treatment costs.
- Managing flystrike enhances the health and wellbeing of sheep and boosts farm productivity.
Types of Flystrike
- Five flystrike types exist, with body and breech strikes being the most prevalent.
- Risk levels depend on environmental conditions and sheep susceptibility.
Predicting Flystrike Risk
- Risk prediction hinges on environmental factors and sheep vulnerability.
- Understanding the biology of the Australian blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) aids in forecasting flystrike occurrences.
Biology of the Australian Blowfly
- Australian sheep blowfly is the main species, responsible for 90% of strikes; it measures around 10 mm, with a copper green color and reddish eyes.
- Its life cycle includes:
- Eggs hatching into larvae within 12-24 hours.
- Larvae grow from pinhead size to 10-15 mm in about three days.
- Adult flies live for 2-3 weeks, with a life cycle to maturity taking 17 days in warm weather.
Environmental Conditions for Flystrike
- Ideal conditions for flystrike include:
- Presence of the Australian sheep blowfly.
- Temperatures between 15-38 degrees Celsius.
- Recent rain to maintain suitable moisture levels for about three days.
- Suitable sites on sheep (wrinkles, urine, feces) for attracting flies.
- Wind speeds below 9 km/h to facilitate fly movement.
Susceptibility of Sheep
- Susceptibility is influenced by environmental factors, sheep type, and management strategies.
- Best-case scenarios include:
- Plain-bodied sheep with low fleece rot incidence.
- Well-managed hoggets with good worm control.
- Lambs with low breech wrinkle levels.
- Regular paddock monitoring and effective flystrike treatment.
- Worst-case scenarios involve:
- Highly wrinkled Merino sheep with poor maintenance.
- Long, unshorn wool during peak risk periods.
Strategies to Reduce Flystrike Risk
- Long-term genetic options serve as effective measures to lower risk.
- Various short-term husbandry practices can be implemented to enhance flystrike prevention.
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Description
This quiz explores the impacts of flystrike on the health and welfare of Australian sheep. It highlights the economic losses associated with flystrike and emphasizes the importance of monitoring and management practices to prevent productivity losses and ensure animal welfare.
