Systemic activity of a benzimidazoline compound in cattle against ticks and biting flies.

A benzimidazoline compound [4-nitro-2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-6 -(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-, 01, sodium salt] referred to as EL-979 showed systemic acaricidal and insecticidal activity in cattle against 2 tick species, Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog tick) and adult Stomoxys calcitrans (stable flies). Larvae of black blow fly (Phormia regina) were fed serum collected from treated calves. A complete kill of larvae was obtained with a serum level of 3 parts per million (p.p.m.) of EL-979. Intravenous infusion at the rate of 0.25 mg kg-1 per day for 12 days provided a concentration of EL-979 in the blood of approximately 5 p.p.m. In A. maculatum this blood level prevented feeding in larvae and molting in nymphs, reduced numbers of females successfully feeding and prevented larvae production. D. variabilis adults were not as susceptible to a blood level of 5 p.p.m., but the number of feeding larvae and molting nymphs were reduced. Complete mortality of adult S. calcitrans occurred with repeated feedings of a 5 p.p.m. blood level. Fly control of 80% was found with 2.3 p.p.m. multiple feeds. Calf sera with a concentration range of 16--20 p.p.m. killed all flies which took a single feeding.