Moxidectin evaluation against Solenoptes capillatus (Anoplura: Linognathidae), Bovicola bovis (Mallophaga: trichodectidae), and Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae) on cattle

Slow release formulations of 375, 750, and 1,125 mg (AI) in 50-g boluses and a subcutaneous injectable formulation (0.2 mg AI/kg body wt) of moxidectin (CL301423) were tested for the control of the little blue cattle louse, Solenoptes capillatus (Enderlein), and the cattle biting louse, Bovicola bovis (L). S. capillatus populations were reduced 4 wk after treatment and complete control was observed 6 wk after treatment in groups treated with boluses, B. bovis were first observed at 3 wk and continued to increase throughout the 14-wk test period. These were experimental boluses and future boluses may perform differently. Subcutaneous injections of moxidectin gave complete control of S. capillatus for a 27-d test period. Feces from animals treated with boluses were tested with face fly larvae, Musca autumnalis De Geer, to demonstrate fecal activity of moxidectin. Larval mortality in these groups ranged from 90 to 30% from 2 d to 10 wk after treatment.