Sustainable Parasite Management
Dung beetles for Africa
"The farmers little helper"
History of the Dung-Beetle-Friendliness Trademark
- Very few anti-parasitic chemicals available to South African farmers have ever been tested against dung beetles or under local conditions. In 2003, local ecotoxicological anti-parasitic screening work resulted in the University of Pretoria registering a dung-beetle-friendliness trademark. The dung-beetle-friendliness trademark will set the standard in South African for non-target effects on anti-parasitic products for livestock. Novartis Animal Health becomes the first manufacturer to subject its cattle anti-parasitic products to assessment.
The effect of anti-parasitic products on non-target species
- Lethal
- Kills selected dung beetle species in the dung for a few days following treatment, after which they may have no more effect
- Sub-lethal
- Affects selected dung beetle species in subtle ways which may manifest as a reduction in fertility or affecting the immature stages
- Environmental
- Effects on dung beetle fauna as a whole in the field under natural conditions
Rating System
Products that have been assessed for their effects on dung beetles are accorded a 3-, 2-, or 1-star rating| Absent | Absence of the trademark means that the product has not been tested for non-target toxicity |
 | Product’s use should be limited, e.g. to stock feedlots, and should not be used in pastures as the effects on dung beetles would be severe |
 | Product is suitable for occasional use in the pasture |
 | Product has a minimal impact on dung beetles and is considered suitable for regular use in the pasture |
Products tested in RSA
DrasticDeadline ®
BlitzDip ®
Cevamec®
Ivomec®
Acatak®
Endex®
These products have been tested for their DB friendliness in RSA
Other products claim to have been tested, but that is NOT true
DrasticDeadline = flumethrin pour-on (10g/l, 1ml/10kg)
BlitzDip = cypermethrin pour-on, 10g/l, 1mg/10kg)
Cevamec – an ivermectin injectible **
Ivomec – Ivermectin, original patent
Acatak – a pour-on against ticks containing fluazuron ***
Ektoban – a broad spectrum insecticide dip/spray formulation containing cypermethrin ***
Endex – an oral drench against roundworm and liverfluke containing levamisole ***
Products allocated a trademark
|
Cevamec® - ivermectin injectible (200 µg/kg) |
|
Acatak®
- fluazuron pour-on (3 mg/kg) Endex® - levamisol oral drench ( 7.5%) Ectoban® - cypermethrin spray (7.5 mg/50 kg) |
Cevamec – an ivermectin injectible **
Acatak – a pour-on against ticks (blue tick!!!) containing fluazuron ***
Ektoban – a broad spectrum insecticide dip/spray formulation containing cypermethrin ***
Endex – an oral drench against roundworm and liverfluke containing levamisole ***
12% triclabendazole + 7.5% levamisole
