Biological Control of Nematode Parasites in Livestock

Biological control of nematode parasites in livestock harnesses naturally occurring organisms to reduce the prevalence and transmission of gastrointestinal nematodes, which cause significant economic losses and welfare concerns worldwide. Key agents include nematophagous fungi, predatory mites and dung beetles. Fungal biocontrol predominantly relies on species such as Duddingtonia flagrans, which produces chlamydospores that survive passage through the host gut, germinate in faecal pats and trap infective larvae. Ovicidal fungi like Pochonia chlamydosporia and Mucor circinelloides target eggs and inhibit embryonation. Deployment strategies range from feed supplementation to integrated pasture management, offering a sustainable alternative or complement to chemical anthelmintics. This approach mitigates the rise of drug‐resistant nematode populations and aligns with consumer demand for organic and chemical‐free animal products. Field trials in cattle, sheep and horses have demonstrated substantial reductions in faecal egg counts and environmental contamination, while laboratory studies continue to optimise spore formulation, delivery and environmental persistence. As interest in non‐chemical methods grows, interdisciplinary collaborations are advancing novel biotechnological enhancements and synergistic combinations of biocontrol agents.

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Biological Control of Nematode Parasites in Livestock publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological control of nematode parasites in livestock across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nematophagous fungi: fungi that capture, immobilise and consume nematode larvae or adults.

Chlamydospore: a thick-walled, resistant fungal spore capable of surviving passage through the digestive tract and germinating in faeces.

Ovicidal fungi: fungi that adhere to, penetrate and destroy parasite eggs in the environment.

Predatory fungi: a subset of nematophagous fungi that form specialised trapping structures to ensnare and digest nematodes.

Integrated pest management: a strategic combination of biological, chemical and management practices designed to control parasite populations sustainably.

References

1. Recent Advances in the Control of Helminths of Domestic Animals by Helminthophagous Fungi. Parasitologia (2021).
2. Biological methods for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes. The Veterinary Journal (2020).
3. Coadministration of Nematophagous Fungi for Biological Control over Nematodes in Bovine in the South‐Eastern Brazil. BioMed Research International (2018).
4. Digestibility of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores in ruminants: in vitro and in vivo studies. BMC Veterinary Research (2009).
5. Efficacy of a commercial fungal formulation containing Duddingtonia flagrans (Bioverm®) for controlling bovine gastrointestinal nematodes. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária (2021).
6. A combined effort to avoid strongyle infection in horses in an oceanic climate region: rotational grazing and parasiticidal fungi. Parasites & Vectors (2018).