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SHEEP BLOWFLY INVESTIGATIONS
Author(s) -
DAVIES W. MALDWYN,
HOBSON R. P.
Publication year - 1935
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1935.tb07163.x
Subject(s) - maggot , wool , biology , larva , humidity , microclimate , relative humidity , rump , desiccation , agronomy , pest analysis , zoology , horticulture , toxicology , veterinary medicine , botany , ecology , geography , medicine , meteorology , archaeology
S ummary . The present paper is intended as the first of a series dealing with various aspects of the sheep maggot problem, especially the causes of susceptibility. Since this pest is more common in moist weather, an investigation was made of the effect of humidity on sheep maggots; also, a method was devised for studying the humidity at the base of the wool–the site of attack. The following is a brief summary of the results obtained:1 The eggs and young larvae of Luclia sericata Mg., the sheep maggot fly, are extremely sensitive to desiccation at 37° C. 2 Dry conditions prevail in the fleece near the skin, except in the region of the rump, and the relative humidity seldom exceeds 70 per cent., even during wet weather. 3 These results show that the microclimate at the base of the wool is normally too dry for the development of maggots; this has been confirmed by finding desiccated eggs and larvae on sheep in the field. 4 Sheep do not become infested with maggots unless predisposing conditions are present; the humidity at the base of the wool appears to be the main factor which determines susceptibility. 5 The wool around the rump is often moist owing to soiling with faeces and urine, the humid conditions favouring the development of eggs and maggots.