Questions and Answers
Adult flies will normally not travel more than ______ kilometres from where they hatch during their life span.
three
The female fly needs a feed of ______ for her reproductive organs to mature.
protein
Common sources of protein are carcases, manure and existing ______.
strikes
The strike incidence at Mount Barker Research Station in September 1978 was ______% of the total for the year.
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Studies have shown that L.cuprina are relatively inactive below ______°C.
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Most L.cuprina are most active between ______°C and 38°C.
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Wind speeds above ______ km/h will reduce flight activity.
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They do not fly at all when the wind speed exceeds ______ km/h.
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Susceptibility depends on environmental conditions as well as sheep type and ______ strategies.
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Genetic options are long term and ______, making them a valuable tool in lowering your risk.
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Flystrike impacts the profitability of the enterprise, not only from loss of productivity from the individually struck animals, but also through the increased amount of time and cost of treating and preventing ______.
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Reducing the risk of flystrike has immense benefits to the health and wellbeing of ______, the people who work with them and business/farm productivity.
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There are five types of flystrike; both body and breech strike are seen as the most prevalent and important ahead of poll and ______ strike.
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Predicting your risk of flystrike will depend on environmental conditions as well as how ______ your sheep are.
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The main species of blowfly that initiates about 90% of all strikes is the Australian sheep ______.
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The adult fly is approximately ______ millimetres (mm) long and produces a smooth skinned white maggot.
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The damaged tissue and body fluid that oozes from the flystrike wound caused by L.cuprina attracts other species of ______.
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Adult flies usually live for approximately ______ to three weeks.
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Eggs generally hatch into ______ in 12-24 hours and larvae grow from pin head size to 10-15mm in length within about three days.
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They then drop off the sheep — usually at night or in the early morning when ground temperatures are ______.
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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 covers the impacts of flystrike on sheep health, productivity, and farm profitability. Learn about the different types of flystrike, their effects, and strategies for prevention and treatment to enhance sheep wellbeing and operational efficiency.
