Studies on the bionomics of Trichostrongylus axei (Cobbold) and its seasonal incidence on irrigated pastures

Abstract

1. T. axei eggs in sheep faeces hatch at a temperature of 38° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 29%, but all of the larvae are dead 96 hr. after the initiation of the exposure. Eggs kept in faeces at −7° C. are killed within 96 hr.2. Eggs do not hatch while under water but remain viable for 20 days under 15 mm. of water at temperatures ranging from 11 to 28° C. Under natural conditions the longevity would in all probability be influenced by such factors as depth of water, amount of decomposing organic debris, etc., which determine the amount of available oxygen present.3. Completely embryonated eggs in sheep faeces possess a high resistance to drying. It is apparent that ranges and pastures in California cannot be freed of eggs by keeping suitable hosts off them during a single dry season, because the eggs can survive desiccation for a period exceeding the dry season. It is possible, however, that if the eggs were directly exposed to the rays of the sun they might be killed.4. The non-infective larvae of T. axei are very much less resistant to desiccation than are the eggs. The population of non-infective larvae would, however, under the more common natural conditions, normally attain the infective stage before succumbing to desiccation.5. Infective larvae lived for more than 104 days at a temperature of 38° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 29%. At −7° C. they were alive at the end of 25 days but were dead on the thirty-ninth day. It is believed that under natural conditions such larvae would not be exterminated by high temperatures. At low temperatures the usual covering of snow might sufficiently protective to prevent death.6. T. axei infective larvae survived 230 days' submergence in 5 mm. of water at room temperature in diffused daylight. Direct sunlight appears have some lethal effect. The amount of oxygen available in the water appears to determine to a considerable degree the longevity of the larvae. Under natural conditions infective larvae can survive even greatly prolonged flooding.7. The survival of infective larvae to desiccation is dependent upon the actual degree of dryness attained. Larvae dried on glass slides at room temperature ranging from 17 to 27° C. with a relative atmospheric humidity of from 35 to 51% survived up to 16 days after the initiation of exposure.8. Different investigators have obtained different results in studying the longevity of infective larvae in soil. The writers believe that the infective larvae do not spend much time on soil or migrate through it unless to escape some unfavourable environmental factor such as particularly high or low temperatures or desiccation, or unless they are accidentally washed into it during heavy rainfall.9. No evidence of phototropic behaviour was observed. It is believed that vertical migration up vegetation is caused by a negatively geotropic reaction which may be conditioned or altered at times by stronger external stimuli resulting from extreme temperatures, bright sunlight, low atmospheric humidity, etc.10. It is believed that the seasonal incidence of trichostrongylosis on irrigated ladino clover pastures in California is determined by acquired resistance, age resistance, or both.11. A mixture of a 1% solution of 40% nicotine sulphate and 1% copper sulphate appears to be a more efficient anthelmintic against T. axei than a straight 1% copper sulphate solution. Changing from green feed to hay or rendering hay available along with green feed may possibly have a therapeutic effect. Spontaneous recovery, so far as clinical symptoms are concerned, from an acute trichostrongylosis, without the administration of a drug or changing the diet, seems to be common, if not the rule, in the majority of lambs in an infected band.