The ability of selected pupal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to locate stable fly hosts in a soiled equine bedding substrate.

The study evaluates the ability of select parasitic wasps to locate and attack stable fly larva, a common pest in equine facilities, in different habitats under controlled conditions. It suggests that certain species are better suited for this task which could be useful in developing pest control measures in equine facilities in Florida.

Study Overview

• The research aimed to asses the efficiency of three different species of parasitoid wasps in locating and attacking stable fly hosts in two distinct laboratory setups.
• The parasitoid wasps that were studied in this research included Spalangia cameroni Perkins, Spalangia endius Walker, and Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan and Legner.
• The first laboratory setting involved large chambers filled with soiled equine bedding collected from the field, while the second environment used wood chips in small plastic cups. The stable fly larvae were then introduced to these conditions

Parasitic Behavior of Different Species

• The study found there was no significant difference in parasitism rates (the degree to which the wasps were able to locate and attack the stable fly pupae) among the parasitoid wasps in the smaller cup setting.
• However, the Spalangia species were much more successful in the larger chambers with the soiled bedding, showing parasitism rates that were 50 times higher than the Muscidifurax raptorellus.

Practical Application and Recommendations

• These findings suggest the Spalangia species were better able to locate and attack the stable fly hosts in conditions that are typically found in Florida’s equine industry, and therefore may be more effective for pest control in these settings.
• The research concludes that products that offer a mixture of parasitoid wasps that include the Muscidifurax species may not be as effective when used in Florida’s equine facilities. The Muscidifurax raptorellus demonstrated lesser efficiency in simulation of equine habitats as per this study.