Effects of different animal manures on attraction and reproductive behaviors of common house fly, Musca domestica L.

This research study investigates the effect of different animal manures on the behaviors and reproduction of common house flies. The study finds that different animal manures have different impacts on the fly’s mating and oviposition (egg-laying) timing, duration, and frequency, potentially due to differences in their odors. The findings may aid in developing pest control strategies.

Research Methodology

• The research team monitored the behaviors of freshly emerged Musca domestica L. (common housefly) adults in the presence of different animal manures such as cow, horse, donkey, poultry, as well as an artificial diet which served as control.
• The team observed onset of first mating, mating duration, onset of first oviposition, oviposition period, fecundity (number of eggs laid), and lifecycle duration (longevity).
• A free-choice attraction assay was also performed, where the number of adult flies attracted to each type of manure and the artificial diet was recorded.
• A chemical analysis of the volatile compounds present in the manures and the artificial diet was also performed to understand its linkage with the flies’ behavioral differences.

Key Findings

• Horse manure was found to delay the onset of first mating and first oviposition, prolonged mating duration, and reduced fecundity compared to the artificial diet.
• Donkey manure resulted in reduced fecundity compared to the artificial diet.
• Flies exposed to cow manure showed a delayed onset of first mating and shortened first mating duration compared to the artificial diet, and no oviposition was observed.
• Reproductive behaviors in adult flies exposed to poultry manure were similar or even superior compared to the artificial diet.
• Despite poor reproductive outcomes, the largest number of flies was attracted to cow manure.
• Chemical analysis revealed variation in the odor profiles of all manures and the artificial diet, indicating that the differences in behaviors could be due to the different volatiles present in ovipositional substrates and larval growth mediums.

Implications of the Research

• Understanding these behavioral responses of flies could assist in the development of pest management strategies. For example, cow manure could be used as an attractant in traps.
• These findings shed light on the relationship between ecological adaptations of flies like Musca domestica and their host selection mechanisms.
• The results provide vital information for further research in biological, agricultural, and environmental sciences, particularly for those interested in insect biology, pest control, and manure management.