Effect of permethrin treatment of cattle on Psorophora columbiae populations: preliminary field test of a host management concept.

The results of a field test conducted in cooperation with the Jefferson Davis Parish Mosquito Abatement District (JDPMAD) during 1988 in southwestern Louisiana suggested that the biweekly treatment of cattle with permethrin reduced the number of adult Psorophora columbiae in nearby areas. Routine mosquito control operations by JDPMAD were similar from 1987 to 1988 in the cattle-treated area but increased an average of 41% in control areas. In spite of this, during the year of cattle treatment, captures in New Jersey light traps averaged 86 and 26% of the previous 4-year average in control and treated areas, respectively. Similarly, the proportion of trap nights in 1988 when Ps. columbiae captures exceeded 500 averaged 73 and 30% of the previous 4-year average in control and treated areas, respectively. Simulation model projections that took into account differences in JDPMAD operations, weather, cattle density, agricultural practices and the presence of treated cattle were accurate within an average of 9% of observed values for the treated and control areas. The simulation studies indicated that the treatment of cattle with permethrin reduced Ps. columbiae populations by 83%. These results suggest that host management may be a viable method for suppressing populations of Ps. columbiae and that some form of host management be considered for inclusion in integrated control programs in this environment. Further evaluation of this concept is warranted.