PhD: Novel botanical alternatives for livestock pest and parasite management

Livestock play an essential economic role; in some countries they are often the only cost-effective means of food production, since they can graze land that is unsuitable for the production of crops.They also may be the only means of providing traction for ploughing or transport of goods or materials, particularly in less developed parts of the world.However, livestock in these areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pests and parasites such as ticks, mites, biting flies, fleas and lice.These can have significant direct impacts on animal health and welfare, but may also act as vectors of pathogens, many of which are zoonotic. The sustainability of reliance on neurotoxic insecticides for the control of these pests and parasites is increasingly questioned and attention is being given to the development of more ecologically and economically sustainable novel control technologies.

Aims and Methods

In the development of novel control technologies, an area of current and growing interest is the use of plant secondary metabolite biotechnology, particularly essential oils, as botanical insecticides. Experimental studies have shown that they may be highly effective alternatives.Such compounds are environmentally benign and may be relatively inexpensive However, their use needs to be thoroughly evaluated and the best approaches for optimum use demonstrated for each pest/host scenario. The aim of this studentship will be to examine the control of biting flies with essential oils, to identify optimum formulations for use against flies and, in particular, to identify approaches that increase the period of residual activity of essential oil products when applied to animals. The primary focus of the project will be on equids.The work will use a combination of initial laboratory investigations followed by large scale field trials in the UK and overseas. Other approaches that complement essential oil use, for example the use of shelters in hot environments to minimize fly challenge and facilitate the persistence of essential oil applications, may also be incorporated in the work undertaken.

Candidate

The preferred candidate will have a background at BSc or MSc level in ecology and/or entomology with an interest in animal welfare. The candidate should be willing to undertake periods of months in the field (either UK or overseas). Good laboratory and numerical skills would also be an advantage.

Case Award

Two partners will be involved in this work.The commercial partner is AgriEnt Ltd, a small company that specializes in the development and marketing of essential oil-based products for arthropod parasite control (www.agrientlimited.com); the managing director Dr Lauren Ellse will co-supervise the work. The CASE partner is The Donkey Sanctuary, (www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk) an animal welfare charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for donkeys, mules and people worldwide and their Head of Research, Dr Faith Burden, will be closely involved in the project planning and management throughout.

Training

Training in animal handling, health and safety and animal welfare will be undertaken by the CASE partner.Training in laboratory techniques and commercial skills such as product manufacture and marketing will be undertaken by Dr Ellse.Training in biostatistics, experimental design and other generic research skills will be provided by the University of Bristol.External training will be sourced as required by the project.

Supervisor: Prof R Wall