A. PrasadPRAVEENKUMAR N. B2023-02-162023-02-162021-10-10https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810193871Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Production ManagementSmall dipteran biting flies of the genera Culex, Culicoides, Phlebotomus Simulium, Stomoxys and Haematobia cause annoyance to domestic animals and animal handlers. Besides, these they act also as vectors of infectious diseases. Effective fly control methods with reduced reliance on chemical control need to be developed to reduce fly population. So a study was conducted on various aspects of dipteran fly annoyance in cattle to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative illuminated fly trap for the control of dipteran biting flies in dairy farms. The study comprised of a preliminary survey among 100 livestock farmers of Thrissur district selected randomly by using a structured interview schedule regarding the fly annoyance. The survey revealed that dung pits (74 per cent) and biogas plants (26 per cent) were the predominant waste management practices adopted by dairy farmers. Majority of respondents (54 per cent) disposed the animal waste at a distance of less than 10 m from the shed. The flies were prevalent in all the farms (100 per cent) followed by ticks (87 per cent). All the respondents practised chemical methods to control flies in their farms, while only 7 per cent of the respondents resorted to mechanical methods. Six per cent of the respondents used light and colour for trapping the flies as a mechanical method. The major constraints faced by dairy farmers with regard to use of fly traps were the unavailability of traps (94%) and complexity in preparing the traps (94%) followed by lack of knowledge about illuminative traps (93%) and unawareness about modern trapping methods (93%). In the present study illuminated fly traps were prepared by using red, blue and yellow coloured plastic pots containing white LED bulbs of 3 W, 5 W and 7 W with castor oil spread on the surface of the pots. Effectiveness of colour and intensity combination was tested in six farms selected randomly (with more than ten cows) of Thrissur district of Kerala in a 3X3 factorial design. Black pot without light acted as control. Detailed study was also conducted at University Livestock Farm (ULF&FRDS) of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. Ten spots equidistant from each other were selected in the farm with one trap catering to three animals forming a treatment group. T5 (blue with 5 W; 405 - 411 lx) was found to be the most effective combination. The common dipteran flies of veterinary importance trapped belonged to the family Culicidae, Muscidae and Psychodidae. Besides this, small insects belonging to order Hymenoptera, Lipidoptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera were also identified. All the seven fly avoidance behaviours were significantly higher in control group when compared with treatment group and it was significantly so at 1 PM. Fly activity was predominantly higher during 6 PM - 10 PM. Expenditure for installing the traps in a cattle farm having ten cattle, was estimated to be only Rs. 1990 per year. Hence light traps can cost effectively replace the use of insecticide to a great extent. Illuminated fly trap is cheap, ecofriendly and effective method against small biting flies causing annoyance in cattle of tropical humid zoneEnglishThesis