Seasonal changes in pasture populations of infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

목초(牧草)에 나타나는 면양위장(緬羊胃腸)내 선충류(線蟲類) 유충(幼蟲)의 시기(時期)적 변화(變化)

The seasonal availability and abundance of the free-living stages of sheep nematodes is a key factor in the occurrence and severity of parasitic infection, and studies of larvae ecology could result in more rational control measures. In the present study seasonal pasture contamination and availability of nematodes for grazing sheep was examined as a baseline work for nematode control program at Namwon Branch, National Animal Breeding Institute during the period April 1988 through March 1989. Standard meteorological measurements were available from Unbong Sub-station, Honam Crops Experiment Station located about 200m from the experimental site. A total of 5 kinds of nematode larvae was detected: Haemonchus contortus was most prevalent (38.0%) with a decreasing order of Ostertagia spp (35.1%), Trichostrongylus spp (19.8%), nematodirus spp (6.6%), and Oesophagostomum spp (0.5%). A succession of species was recorded, in particular Ostertagia spp in May; Haemonchus contortus in June and July; Trichostrongylus spp in July and August; Nematodirus spp in August and September. These results can be incorporated into the nematode control program. To make a more rational control program, however, repeated herbage larval counts should be undertaken soil larval counts and fecal larval counts in the future.