Application of a Fungal Biological Control Agent to Control Red Cattle Fever

Overview of Control Methods:

The disease cycle link we have chosen to break is the link between the vector,
Dermacentor andersoni, and the reservoir, cattle. This link was selected since it is the earliest
part of the chain of infection that can be broken without causing damage to the reservoir or hosts.
Choosing to break the link between the disease agent and the vector was determined illogical as
this could only be achieved by removing all infected reservoirs and hosts, which cannot be
conducted morally or with one hundred percent accuracy. The links between reservoir and host
and the vector and host were not chosen as this would still result in an infected reservoir, thus a
loss of cattle production would occur. Therefore, the most effective link to break is that between
the vector and reservoir as this would protect the cattle and susceptible human hosts. In order to
break this connection, we have chosen to focus our efforts on tick control, namely through the
application of a myco-acaricide utilizing the ARSEF 3297 strain of Metarhizium anisopliae.
Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus that acts as a parasitoid for ticks,
including Dermacentor andersoni, the vector of the causal agent for Red Cattle Fever,
Streptococcus Dabalactiae. Due to this fungus being both nontoxic and nonpathogenic to
humans, birds, fish, honey bees, and other mammals this parasitoid was chosen as a safe
alternative to other commercially available pesticides. This myco-acaricide is also
environmentally friendly as Metarhizium anisopliae can be found worldwide as a part of the
soil’s natural flora (Zimmermann, 1993). In addition to safety, this specific strain of Metarhizium
anisopliae was chosen due to its previously documented successes in killing another cattle tick,
Rhipicephalus microplus (Polar et al., 2005). The ARSEF 3297 strain of Metarhizium anisopliae
has another benefit, the virulence of the fungus will not decrease in virulence over time (Ansari
and Butt, 2011). Furthermore, this biological control agent would not have an issue with
acaricide resistance as ticks are unable to develop an immunity to parasitoids. Taking all these
factors into consideration, our final control plan is to apply the ARSEF 3297 strain of
Metarhizium anisopliae in fenced off wooded areas that coincide with the locations of reservoir
and host disease cases. Reapplication of this biological control will occur every three days as
long as three criteria are met: the population of the vector is decreasing, the vector is still present
in the area, and no adverse effects have been observed or reported in humans, wildlife, or the
ecosystem.

Implementation of Control:
Materials for Implementation:
The main material necessary for this method of control is a solution of the ARSEF 3297
strain of Metarhizium anisopliae in distilled water with a concentration of 500,000,000 conidia
per milliliter (Polar et al., 2005). In order to apply this solution, a 4-Gallon Professional Piston
Backpack Sprayer by Solo, Inc was obtained for each member of the application squad.
Methods for Implementation:
 Before and after applying the biological control agent, measures should be taken to create
an unattractive environment for ticks. Woodland edges and leaf littered areas are extremely high-
risk areas for tick infestation, so these areas should be cleared of all leaf litter, mowed, and have
its weeds pulled to reduce groundcover and in turn, destroy a favorable tick habitat. Another
precaution to consider is creating a two to three-foot-wide wood chip barrier surrounding the
area of implementation. This is called a “no-migrate zone” and will reduce tick abundance
because it prevents ticks from moving closer to the area (Stafford, 2007).
The optimal time to apply the ARSEF 3297 strain of Metarhizium anisopliae is around
late spring and early summer time to control the nymphal population and late summer and fall
time to control the adult population. Proper application of the biological control agent is essential
to achieve maximum control. In past experimental applications of this biological control, a single
spray was utilized and proved effective, however in those conditions the tick was immobile.
Therefore, this myco-acaricide solution will be sprayed approximately 5 milliliters per square
foot of area. Following the initial spraying of the biological control agent the areas will be
monitored and surveyed to determine the current tick population. If the tick population decreases
then another execution of the myco-acaricide will be distributed with a focus on the areas that
have the highest density of ticks. Reapplication will be continued until complete elimination of
all local vectors. However, if the tick population does not decrease in a week’s time, then the
concentration of the myco-acaricide will be increased to 1,000,000,000 conidia per milliliter and
will be reapplied (Polar et al., 2005). If this method continues to be ineffective, direct application
to the vector will be abandoned and an alternate solution of a vaccine will be conducted.
Potential issues with this implementation method include further exposing humans to tick
infested areas as the application squad will be in direct contact with the infected ticks. Due to this
exposure it is possible that one of these members could be exposed to the causal agent of Red
Cattle Fever, therefore, all of the members of the application squad will be required to wear
personal protective equipment while applying the myco-acaricide. Furthermore, each member of
the application squad will be required to endure a full body check for ticks following the
employment of the Metarhizium anisopliae. Another possible issue with the implementation is
the possibility of an allergic reaction. It has been shown that humans and other animals could
experience an allergic reaction to Metarhizium anisopliae, so it is vital that the application squad
have epinephrine pens available at a moment’s notice (Ward et al., 2009). Moreover, it is
necessary to inform nearby homeowners and ranchers of the possible allergen and that it is
possible that their cattle and/or pets could have an allergic reaction, too.

Expected Outcomes:
The vector, Dermacentor andersoni, is expected to experience a decrease in population of
at least 50%, and in turn the number of clinical cases of Red Cattle Fever will undergo an overall
decrease. Furthermore, a decrease in the number of reports of infected cattle will ensue. Full
control is expected to be accomplished in two months to ensure the eradication of all infected
ticks. This time period was determined under the assumptions that the biological control agent is
available commercially in mass amounts, initial application of the biological control agent is a
success, reapplication will occur at least two times following the initial implementation, and that
other cases of Red Cattle Fever could be reported during the initial implementation of the myco-
acaricide. The greatest problem that could arise is a relapse of Red Cattle Fever several months
following the initial application. In order to rectify this problem, the time range between the
initial spraying of the fungus and the time that new cases of Red Cattle Fever are reported will be
evaluated to determine if re-application is viable. If the time range is determined to be brief, then
a reapplication of the biological control agent with a higher concentration will be conducted. In
the event that the higher concentration of Metarhizium anisopliae fails, then other methods will
be explored, namely vaccination of hosts and the reservoir. However, if the time range is
determined to be extensive, then it can be deduced that Streptococcus Dabalactiae has been
reintroduced to the United States as this was the only part of the disease cycle that was not
already present and the ticks are unable to form a resistance to a biological control agent. In this
case, reapplication of the fungus will be performed in the areas surrounding the new clinical
cases of Red Cattle Fever. In addition, another key issue that could occur after the first
employment is the public disagreement as many people have expressed disapproval when a
foreign substance is sprayed on their lawn or property. In order to effectively apply Metarhizium
anisopliae to the areas in the public domain, a public service announcement will be announced in
the form of a video. This public service announcement will discuss the purpose and importance
of the Metarhizium anisopliae, the benign effects it has on humans, wildlife, and the
environment, and the role this biological control agent will have in controlling Red Cattle Fever.

References:
Ansari, M., and T. Butt. 2011. Effects of successive subculturing on stability, virulence, conidial
yield, germination and shelf-life of entomopathogenic fungi. Journal of Applied
Microbiology. 110: 1460-1469.
Polar, P., M. Kairo, D. Peterkin, D. Moore, R. Pegram, and S. John. 2005. Assessment of Fungal
Isolates for Development of a Myco-Acaricide for Cattle Tick Control. Vector-Borne and
Zoonotic Diseases. 5: 276-284.
Stafford, K. 2007. Tick management handbook. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station,
New Haven, Conn.
Ward, M., M. Donohue, Y. Chung, L. Copeland, J. Shoemaker, S. Vesper, and M. Selgrade.
2009. Human Serum IgE Reacts with a Metarhizium anisopliae Fungal Catalase.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. 150: 343-351.
Zimmermann, G. 1993. The Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and its potential
as a Biocontrol Agent. Pest Management Science. 37: 375-379.