Seasonal abundance of stable flies and filth fly pupal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) at Florida equine facilities.
Abstract: Beginning in November 2007 and continuing until December 2009, weekly stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), surveillance was conducted at four equine facilities near Ocala, FL, by using alsynite sticky traps for adults and by searching immature developmental sites for pupae. Adult stable fly trap captures were highly variable throughout the year, ranging from 0 to 1,400 flies per trap per farm. The greatest adult stable fly activity was observed during the spring months of March and April, with weekly three-trap means of 121 and 136 flies per farm, respectively. The importance of cultural control measures was most apparent on the only farm with no reported insecticide use and the lowest stable fly trap captures, where an intense daily sanitation and composting program was conducted. A survey of on-site filth fly pupae revealed that 99.9% of all parasitoids recovered were Spalangia spp., consisting of Spalangia cameroni Perkins (56.5%), Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis (34.0%), Spalangia endius Walker (5.8%), and Spalangia nigra Latreille (3.7%). The implications of these findings are discussed.
Publication Date: 2011-07-09 PubMed ID: 21735936DOI: 10.1603/ec10227Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Animal Health
- Animal Science
- Diagnosis
- Disease
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Horses
- Infection
- Insect Bite Hypersensitivity
- Parasites
- Public Health
- Stable Management
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research was conducted to study the seasonal fluctuation of stable fly populations and their parasitoids at horse facilities in Florida over two years, with an evaluation of the effectiveness of different control methods.
Research Conduct
- The research spanned two years starting from November 2007 to December 2009 and was executed at four horse facilities near Ocala, FL.
- Fluctuations in the adult fly population, specifically, Stomoxys calcitrans, were monitored regularly using sticky traps.
- For immature flies, pupae were obtained by exploring typical development sites.
Findings Regarding Fly Activity
- The number of adult flies captured was highly variable throughout the year, with a range of 0 to 1400 flies per trap per farm.
- The highest stable fly activity was observed during spring, particularly in March and April, with a weekly average of 121 and 136 flies per farm caught in three traps.
Role of Cultural Control Measures
- The effectiveness of cultural control methods, such as sanitation and composting, was apparent on a farm that practiced daily intense sanitation and composting program and did not use insecticides.
- This farm had the lowest stable fly capture, implying that cleanliness and composting were effective in controlling the fly population.
Survey of Fly Parasitoids
- A study of the parasites found in fly pupae revealed that almost all (99.9%) were of the Spalangia genuses. The specific species found included Spalangia cameroni (56.5%), Spalangia nigroaenea (34.0%), Spalangia endius (5.8%), and Spalangia nigra (3.7%).
The results of this study shed light on the seasonal variations in stable fly populations, the effectiveness of control measures, and the parasites that affect them. The authors indicate that the implications of these findings are to be discussed further.
Cite This Article
APA
Pitzer JB, Kaufman PE, Hogsette JA, Geden CJ, Tenbroeck SH.
(2011).
Seasonal abundance of stable flies and filth fly pupal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) at Florida equine facilities.
J Econ Entomol, 104(3), 1108-1115.
https://doi.org/10.1603/ec10227 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, 970 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biodiversity
- Florida
- Horses
- Housing, Animal
- Hymenoptera / classification
- Hymenoptera / physiology
- Insect Control
- Muscidae / parasitology
- Population Dynamics
- Pupa
- Seasons
- Species Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Taylor DB, Harrison K, Zhu JJ. Methods for Surveying Stable Fly Populations. J Insect Sci 2020 Nov 1;20(6).
- Taylor CE, Machtinger ET, Geden CJ, Kramer M. Manure Preferences and Postemergence Learning of Two Filth Fly Parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). PLoS One 2016;11(12):e0167893.
- Machtinger ET, Leppla NC, Hogsette JA. House and Stable Fly Seasonal Abundance, Larval Development Substrates, and Natural Parasitism on Small Equine Farms in Florida. Neotrop Entomol 2016 Aug;45(4):433-40.
- Phasuk J, Prabaripai A, Chareonviriyaphap T. Seasonality and daily flight activity of stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy farms in Saraburi Province, Thailand. Parasite 2013;20:17.
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