Yaswanthkumar, the Researcher and Venkitachalam, the Assistant Professor from the Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, developed an Android application called “ECTICON.”
It is a farmer-friendly app designed to help farmers, livestock owners, and pastoral communities identify and control common ectoparasitic fly species on cattle, available in both Tamil and English.
The launching ceremony was held recently at the college and was graced by C. A. Vasuki, Secretary and Director of the College, who officially released the app.
After the launch, the Chief Guest, Vijayaraghavan, Forest Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, said the ECTICON app marks a significant collaboration between academic institutions and veterinary experts, aiming to leverage technology for the betterment of agriculture and animal husbandry practices.
Researcher Yaswanthkumar said, “I have been working on ectoparasitic flies for my Ph.D. research. Considering the needs of farmers and cattle owners, I developed this app, which I believe will help them mitigate problems caused by ectoparasitic flies.”
The application will be open to the public in one to two weeks, after adding an extra feature — recorded audio support for those who cannot read, and it will be available on the Google Play Store, said Venkitachalam.
How Does the App Work?
After logging into the ECTICON app, the user selects their preferred language — either Tamil or English. A list of common ectoparasitic flies is then displayed, including species such as Musca (Face Fly), Stomoxys (Stable Fly), Haematobia (Horn Fly), Tabanus (Horse Fly), and Hippobosca (Louse Flies or Keds).
The app provides images of each fly species, helping users visually identify the specific ectoparasite affecting their cattle. Based on this identification, users can take appropriate action to protect their livestock.
Additionally, the app includes detailed information on each fly’s life cycle, adaptations, and control measures. With this knowledge, farmers can effectively manage and prevent infections caused by these ectoparasites, ensuring better health and productivity of their cattle.
