A PROJECT aimed at improving the treatment and prevention of flystrike is on the search for maggots from different regions.
The University of Melbourne have put the call out for growers across the country to collect blowfly samples on their property for genetic analysis.
They will be used in an Australia Wool Innovation-funded project to identify genetic differences in blowfly populations.
The DNA will be examined for genetic changes that could be associated with insecticide resistance, determine population structure and movements of blowflies, which could help with larger resistance management planning and the development of a flystrike vaccine.
Any growers willing to participate will be supplied with collection tubes, which can be used to collect the maggots of any sheep struck during the 2020-21 spring and summer.
The tubs will then be sent to the university, along with some sample details, in a reply-paid envelope.
To get involved, contact Trent Perry, Clare Anstead or Vern Bowles at University of Melbourne via email at blowfly-collection@unimelb.edu.au or on 03 8344 2362.
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