Fungus attacks parasites

摘要

A new weapon in the war against nematode parasites of livestock is on the verge of deployment. Duddingtonia flagrans, a nematode-eating fungus, has been shown to reduce the number of nematode larvae emerging from the faeces of young sheep. The promising biological control agent also boosts sheep productivity through improved worm control and has no detectable impacts on other soil and pasture organisms. If commercialisation of the fungus proves successful, D. flagrans could assist farmers battling the rising tide of nematodes resistant to anthelmintic chemicals.