Search

EP-4734764-A1 - FORMULATION FOR CONTROLING BLOWFLY INFESTATIONS

EP4734764A1EP 4734764 A1EP4734764 A1EP 4734764A1EP-4734764-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a formulation suitable for use in simultaneously reducing or ameliorating blowfly infestations, preventing blowfly strikes, and treating active blowfly strikes on animals, such as sheep. The present invention also relates to a process for producing the formulation, and uses of the formulation.

Inventors

  • Baker, Kim
  • LI, SAM
  • Bohnenblust, Katharina
  • Hureau, Sabrina
  • Neugebauer, Robert Christoph

Assignees

  • Elanco Australasia Pty.Ltd.
  • Baker, Kim
  • Li, Sam
  • Bohnenblust, Katharina
  • Hureau, Sabrina
  • Neugebauer, Robert Christoph

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A formulation for controlling insect pests on a mammal comprising an amount of ivermectin and dicyclanil and a suitable carrier and/or diluent.
  2. 2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein controlling insect pests on the mammal comprises rapidly killing infestations of mixed stage L. cuprina larvae.
  3. 3. The formulation of claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that it is in the form of a topical formulation for controlling and preventing blowfly strikes on sheep comprising about 1 to about 7% (w/v) dicyclanil and about 0.2 to about 0.4% (w/v) ivermectin.
  4. 4. The formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it is a spray-on formulation and has a dynamic viscosity of below about 400 cps.
  5. 5. The formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it is formulated to be effective against flies that are substantially resistant to organophosphorous and diflubenzuron-based insecticides.
  6. 6. The formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it is satisfactorily tolerant of rainfall.
  7. 7. A pour-on or spray-on formulation comprising an insecticidally effective amount of each of the two active ingredients ivermectin and dicyclanil and further comprising at least one of a surfactant, an emulsifier, a preservative, an other additive, optionally EDTA, an antioxidant, an oily component, a solvent, a thickener, a neutralizer, and optionally a colouring agent, and optionally an antifoaming agent.
  8. 8. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to claim 7 comprising about 1 to about 7% (w/v) dicyclanil and about 0.2 to about 0.4% (w/v) ivermectin.
  9. 9. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to claim 7 or claim 8 comprising a suitable surfactant in the range of 0.10-0.40% (w/v).
  10. 10. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 9 comprising a suitable emulsifier in the range of 0.09-0.2% (w/v).
  11. 11. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 10 comprising one or more suitable preservatives in the range of 0. 15-0.60% (w/v).
  12. 12. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 11 comprising a suitable other additive (e.g. EDTA) in the range of 0.01-0.09% (w/v).
  13. 13. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 12 comprising a suitable antioxidant in the range of 0.01-0.09% (w/v).
  14. 14. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 13 comprising a suitable oily component in the range of 5.0-20.0% (w/v).
  15. 15. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 14 comprising a suitable solvent in the range of 5.0-30.0% (w/v).
  16. 16. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 15 comprising a suitable antifoaming agent in the range of 0.01-0.05% (w/v).
  17. 17. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 16 comprising a suitable thickener in the range of 1.0-3.0% (w/v).
  18. 18. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 17 comprising a suitable colouring agent in the range of 0.001-0.05% (w/v).
  19. 19. The pour-on or spray-on formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 18 comprising a suitable neutralizer in the range of 0.01-0.06% (w/v).
  20. 20. The formulation according to any one of claims 7 to 19 provided as a spray-on formulation.

Description

FORMULATION FOR CONTROLING BLOWFLY INFESTATIONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is an International Patent Application which claims priority to Australia Patent Application No. AU2023902058 filed on 29 June 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a formulation suitable for use in simultaneously reducing or ameliorating blowfly infestations, preventing blowfly strikes, and treating active blowfly strikes on animals, such as sheep. The present invention also relates to a process for producing the formulation, and uses of the formulation. BACKGROUND [0003] While only a simple nuisance to humans, parasitic flies commonly referred to as blowflies (for example Lucilia cuprina) cause tissue damage (technically known as cutaneous myiasis) that can lead to meat production and reproduction losses, and poorer wool quality and quantity. Left uncontrolled, cutaneous myiasis can be serious enough to lead to the death of an infested animal. Because there are significant animal welfare and financial issues to be considered, farmers are highly interested in preventing blowfly infestations within their flocks of sheep. [0004] Massive cutaneous myiasis or blowfly larval (maggot) infestations (often referred to as blowfly strike or flystrike) on sheep are found particularly frequently in geographic areas that have a warm, humid climate. This is why numerous species of blowfly that cause flystrike occur throughout New Zealand and Australia as well as in North and South American countries, certain European countries, UK, and in Africa. There is also evidence that the blowfly (for example L. cuprina) will continue to extend its habitat into new areas. In New Zealand, for example, the relatively recent introduction of this aggressive blowfly has subsequently led to migration at a rapid speed southward through the country affecting most areas except perhaps the far south. [0005] Myiasis can be extremely harmful, depending upon the species of fly and the circumstances surrounding the infestation. The larval or maggot stage of, for example, L. cuprina constitutes the real animal parasite. The life cycle of A. cuprina is described and demonstrates the horrific nature of the resulting disease and the speed with which fly populations can increase if the parasite is left uncontrolled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Controlling Blowfly Infestations [0007] A key for controlling the problem is preventing infestations by interrupting the blowfly life cycle. [0008] The life cycle of L. cuprina starts with each female laying about 200 eggs on the sheep. First instar maggots, about 1 mm long, will emerge within 12 hours and feed in damp fleece, in lumpy wool, fleece-rot lesions, in and around wounds, or in faecal or urine soiling. These first instar maggots have no rasping mouthparts and so are not capable of damaging the skin. [0009] It is preferable therefore to control the life cycle at this point for blowfly strike prevention. Under favourable conditions the first instar will moult to the second instar about 18 hours after hatching. This moulting process allows the maggot to grow. After a second moult, about 36 hours after hatching, the third instar maggots will be very active and feeding voraciously. These maggots rasp the sheep’s skin with their mouthparts and produce enzymes that liquefy the skin and tissues of the affected animals. This process also attracts further strikes. During this feeding period the maggots grow very quickly, and they will be fully fed within 3-4 days of hatching. At full size the maggots are about 12 mm long, creamy white and very active. They drop from the sheep, usually at night, and burrow into the top few centimetres of soil. If the soil temperature is less than 15 °C, development may cease at this stage, otherwise pupation will occur. During pupation, chemical changes in the maggot’s skin transform it to a rigid barrel-shaped cocoon or pupa. Inside the cocoon, the maggot metamorphoses into a fly. Under ideal conditions a young fly will emerge from its pupa 12-14 days after the egg from which it was derived was laid. The young female fly will be very active in searching for food as she needs several protein feeds so her eggs can mature. After the feeding process she actively seeks sites suitable for egg-lay. She will mate only once, usually about three days after she has emerged from her cocoon. A female Lucilia sp. has an average life span of about 2-4 weeks in warmer months and considerably longer in cooler months. During her life, she may lay up to three batches of eggs. [0010] It is also desirable to kill active maggots that are causing active blowfly strike to reduce the damage and illness incurred on sheep. [0011] There are many products on the market for controlling insect parasites of sheep. However, most of them show certain disadvantages concerning, for example, the inab