Seasonal abundance of stable flies and filth fly pupal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) at Florida equine facilities.

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.