B.AHE.0242-Area-wide control of buffalo fly and prevention of southward spread using Wolbachia

Summary

Buffalo fly (BF) poses the second-most costly disease to northern Australian cattle, and have developed resistance against most chemicals used to control them. The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia could be used for population control.

This project demonstrated that laboratory-infected buffalo fly have a shorter life span, reduced fecundity and delayed pupal emergence.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project were to:

• transfect laboratory populations of buffalo flies with strains of Wolbachia
• assess the effect of presence of Wolbachia on reproduction and survival/fitness traits of BF
• evaluate the potential for use of Wolbachia in regional eradication programs and to arrest the southerly spread of BF and to recommend strategies for practical implementation.

Key findings

• Buffalo fly was shown to successfully host Wolbachia, once adapted in tissue culture.
• Pupal and adult micro-injection techniques can produce ovarial infections in female buffalo fly.
• Wolbachia-infected buffalo fly have a shorter lifespan, lower fecundity and egg hatchability, and delayed pupal emergence.

Benefits to industry

• Should it prove practical in the field, the method outlined in this project will reduce/eliminate the need for using chemicals.
• This control method can slow down or stop the southward spread of buffalo fly in Australia.
• Effective buffalo fly control will have productivity and welfare benefits.

MLA action

Should there be scientific and commercial interest in further development of this concept, MLA will consider funding such work.

Future research

The manual micro-injection technique for pupae and adult flies will have to be automated in order to produce commercially viable numbers of transfected flies.

A feasibility study for a commercial production facility will also be needed.