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Kovacs EM, Pinard C, Gries R, Manku A, Gries G. Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Synthetic Cattle Breath Volatiles Attract Host-Seeking Stable Flies, Stomoxys calcitrans. J Chem Ecol 2024:10.1007/s10886-024-01502-0. [PMID: 38806939 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-024-01502-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are blood-feeding ectoparasites of cattle. Host-seeking stable flies respond to various cattle host cues, but a potential role of cattle breath gases [carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4)] and cattle breath volatiles (acetone, isoprene, 2-butanone, 2-propanol, propionic acid, 3-methyl butyric acid, phenol), alone or in combination, on host-seeking behavior of stable flies has not yet been comprehensively investigated. In laboratory and greenhouse experiments, we tested the hypotheses that (1) CO2 and CH4 interactively attract stable flies, (2) CO2 'gates' attraction of stable flies to CH4, and (3) breath volatiles on their own, or in combination with both CO2 and CH4, attract stable flies. In Y-tube olfactometer experiments, the blend of CH4 (0.5%) and CO2 (1%) in breathing air ('b-air') attracted significantly more female flies than CH4, or CO2, in b-air. The flies' responses to CH4 were contingent upon their prior or concurrent exposure to CO2. In two-choice experiments in a large greenhouse compartment, significantly more flies landed on the host-look-alike barrel that disseminated a blend of CO2 and CH4 in b-air (CO2/CH4/b-air) than on the barrel disseminating either b-air or CO2. Moreover, significantly more flies landed on the barrel that disseminated synthetic breath volatiles (SBVs) than on the barrel disseminating b-air. The blend of CO2/CH4/b-air and SBVs elicited more fly landings on barrels than CO2/CH4/b-air but not than SBVs. SBVs, possibly combined with both CH4 and CO2, could be developed as a lure to enhance trap captures of stable flies in livestock production facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Kovacs
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Charlotte Pinard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Regine Gries
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Arshpreet Manku
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Gerhard Gries
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Pagac AA, Geden CJ, Burgess ER, Riggs MR, Machtinger ET. Filth Fly Parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Monitoring Techniques and Species Composition in Poultry Layer Facilities. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:2006-2012. [PMID: 36130177 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Muscid flies, especially house flies (Musca domestica L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are a major pest of poultry layer facilities. Augmentative biological control of muscid flies with pteromalid wasps has gained increased attention in recent years. Knowing which pteromalid species are present in a specific area could produce more effective filth fly control. The purpose of this project was to survey parasitoid populations in poultry layer facilities in central and southeastern Pennsylvania from June through September. Two genera of parasitoids, Spalangia and Trichomalopsis, were collected over the course of the survey. Overall, out of 3,724 parasitized pupae the species collected in order of most to least common were Spalangia cameroni Perkins, Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, Trichomalopsis spp., and Spalangia endius Walker. House fly parasitism overall and by each parasitoid species varied by location and over the four study months. A second objective was to evaluate a new parasitoid trap for surveying parasitoid wasp populations. This device uses a combination of house fly third instars and development media. This was compared to a more traditional method, the sentinel bag, which uses only fly pupae. A higher proportion of Spalangia spp. emerged from the new trap design and more Trichomalopsis spp. emerged from the sentinel bag. This suggests that using this new device alongside the traditional collection method may result in more accurate sampling of pteromalid populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A Pagac
- Veterinary Entomology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, 06 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Christopher J Geden
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Edwin R Burgess
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 970 Natural Area Drive Gainesville, FL 32611-0620, USA
| | - Montana R Riggs
- Veterinary Entomology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, 06 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, State College, PA 16802, USA
| | - Erika T Machtinger
- Veterinary Entomology Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, 06 Chemical Ecology Laboratory, State College, PA 16802, USA
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3
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Taylor EE, King BH, Burgess ER. Diet and Nutrition of Adult Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a Parasitoid of Filth Flies. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:32-43. [PMID: 34632508 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvab113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Most parasitoid wasps parasitize herbivorous insects, so nectar from flowers is readily available. However, parasitoid wasps are also an important component of the rich invertebrate communities at livestock facilities in large accumulations of manure, where flowers are largely absent. Little is known about adult parasitoid diet and nutrition in these communities. The present study examined this in Spalangia cameroni Perkins, a pupal parasitoid of filth flies. Like many parasitoid wasps, S. cameroni feed on host fluids, and in the laboratory readily feed on honey or a sucrose solution, which increases their longevity. Here adult longevity in the presence of six potential food sources, bovine manure, sorghum silage, bovine milk, buckwheat inflorescence (Polygonaceae), sweet alyssum inflorescence (Brassicaceae), or dandelion inflorescence (Asteraceae), was compared to that with water or honey. Only parasitoids given buckwheat lived as long as parasitoids given honey, and parasitoids given honey or buckwheat lived longer than parasitoids given water. Parasitoids readily ate buckwheat nectar, avoiding pollen grains. Diet affected the amount of free sugars, glycogen, and lipids in complex ways. Compared to parasitoids that were given just water, parasitoids with access to honey or sucrose had higher sugar and glycogen levels, but not detectably higher lipid levels. Access to buckwheat had no detectable effect on a parasitoid's free sugar, glycogen, or lipid levels; however, then after 4 d with just water, sugar levels were lower and glycogen levels were higher compared to parasitoids that had been given access to only water the entire time.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Taylor
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - B H King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Edwin R Burgess
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Maiquez VF, Pitzer JB, Geden CJ. Insecticide Resistance Development in the Filth Fly Pupal Parasitoid, Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Using Laboratory Selections. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:326-331. [PMID: 33367762 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Filth flies remain one of the most prevalent pest groups affecting the animal production industry. Spalangia spp. and Muscidifurax spp. are beneficial parasitic wasps that often are utilized to manage filth fly populations such as house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). These wasps search for filth fly pupae as hosts in areas potentially treated with insecticides, which may result in nontarget insecticide selection effects. However, research regarding resistance development in parasitic wasps such as S. cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is limited. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the potential of S. cameroni to develop resistance to the commonly used insecticide permethrin, as well as compare permethrin susceptibility among several S. cameroni strains. After 10 selected generations, susceptibility was significantly lower for the selected strain when compared with that of its unselected parent strain. A comparison of several parasitoid strains collected from different U.S. states indicated that permethrin susceptibility was not significantly different between a baseline strain and more recently established field strains. The potential implications of this previously unrecognized nontarget insecticide exposure effect on filth fly parasitoids are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent F Maiquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
| | - Jimmy B Pitzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
| | - Christopher J Geden
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agriculture, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL
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Geden CJ, Johnson DM, Taylor DB. Improved Sentinel Method for Surveillance and Collection of Filth Fly Parasitoids. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5948069. [PMID: 33135747 PMCID: PMC7604833 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Parasitoids are important natural enemies of house flies and other muscoid flies. The two most commonly used methods for collecting fly parasitoids from the field have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Collections of wild puparia depend on the ability to find puparia in sufficient numbers and are prone to localized distortions in relative species abundance because of the overrepresentation of samples from hot spots of fly larval activity. Placement and retrieval of sentinel puparia is convenient and allows consistent sampling over time but is strongly biased in favor of Muscidifurax spp. over Spalangia spp. An improved sentinel method is described that combines some of the advantages of these two methods. Fly medium containing larvae is placed in containers, topped with a screen mesh bag of puparia, and placed in vertebrate-proof wire cages. Cages are placed at sites of actual or potential fly breeding and retrieved 3-7 d later. The modified method collected species profiles that more closely resembled those of collections of wild puparia than those from sentinel pupal bags. A method is also described for isolating puparia individually in 96-well tissue culture plates for parasitoid emergence. Use of the plate method provided a substantial saving of time and labor over the use of individual gelatin capsules for pupal isolation. Puparia from the collections that were housed individually in the wells of tissue culture plates had a higher proportion of emerged Spalangia species than puparia that were held in groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Geden
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL
| | - Dana M Johnson
- USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL
| | - David B Taylor
- USDA, ARS, Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, Lincoln, NE
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Machtinger ET, Geden CJ. 11. Biological control with parasitoids. ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2018. [DOI: 10.3920/978-90-8686-863-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erika T. Machtinger
- Penn State University, Department of Entomology, 501 ASI Building, University Park, State College, PA 16082, USA
| | - Christopher J. Geden
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
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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:e0167893. [PMID: 27936090 PMCID: PMC5148001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of host-seeking behavior is crucial to the reproductive performance of female parasitoids. Initially, parasitoids may use chemical information garnered from the microhabitat in which they emerge to locate hosts. Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor are commercially available parasitoids of filth flies. Postemergence exposure to a specific manure may provide a way to increase parasitism in specific microhabitats found at livestock facilities upon release. In this study, female parasitoids of both species were exposed to equine manure, bovine manure, or clean pupae. Females from each emergence exposure were tested in a two-choice arena (house fly hosts in bovine manure versus clean pupae, equine manure versus clean pupae, and equine manure versus bovine manure) for progeny production. There was a detectable but small effect of postemergence exposure on S. cameroni, but it was not sufficient to reverse innate preferences. Females consistently produced more progeny in hosts found in any manure over clean pupae, and in equine manure over bovine manure. The effect of postemergence exposure on M. raptor was also detectable but small. Females produced equal numbers of progeny in bovine manure versus clean pupae, as opposed to preferring to oviposit in clean pupae as with all other treatments. Preferences by M. raptor were overall less marked than for S. cameroni; indeed most of the variability observed for this species did not result from the treatment design. Residual host mortality was also detectably altered by exposure in both species, but the effect was small. Thus, postemergence exposure did not consistently and effectively manipulate these parasitoids to producing progeny in different exposure manures, suggesting that microhabitat preferences are largely determined by other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Taylor
- Animal Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL United States of America
| | - Erika T. Machtinger
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher J. Geden
- Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, Gainesville, FL United States of America
| | - Matthew Kramer
- Statistics Group, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD United States of America
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Burgess ER, King BH. Behavior and Survival of the Filth Fly Parasitoids Spalangia endius and Urolepis rufipes (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Response to Three Granular House Fly Baits and Components. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:1496-1504. [PMID: 28028097 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvw135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Behaviors and mortality of two filth fly parasitoid wasps, Spalangia endius Walker and Urolepis rufipes Ashmead, were tested in response to granular fly baits containing one of the three active ingredients (AI): Golden Malrin (methomyl), QuickBayt (imidacloprid), or Quikstrike (dinotefuran). Behavioral responses to each of the two components of the baits, the AIs and the fly attractant pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene, were also examined independently. Spalangia endius avoided contact with bait granules, regardless of bait type. However, when S. endius contacted bait residue, the imidacloprid bait appeared to be the least harmful of the baits for S. endius, at least in the short term. Spalangia endius was attracted to imidacloprid by itself. However, S. endius avoided (Z)-9-tricosene. In contrast to S. endius' attraction to imidacloprid, S. endius neither avoided nor was attracted to methomyl or dinotefuran. For U. rufipes, the methomyl bait appeared to be especially harmful. Urolepis rufipes avoided bait granules with imidacloprid or dinotefuran but not with methomyl, died quickly in the presence of methomyl bait residue, and had a methomyl LC50 that was lower than that for S. endius The avoidance by U. rufipes of granules with imidacloprid or dinotefuran appears to be related to components other than the AIs or the (Z)-9-tricosene because U. rufipes did not avoid either individually. The behavioral avoidance of the parasitoids in the present study occurred despite no exposure recently, if ever, to these pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin R Burgess
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2861 (; )
| | - B H King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2861 (; )
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Machtinger ET, Leppla NC, Hogsette JA. House and Stable Fly Seasonal Abundance, Larval Development Substrates, and Natural Parasitism on Small Equine Farms in Florida. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:433-440. [PMID: 26902468 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-016-0376-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
House flies, Musca domestica Linnaeus, and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are common pests on horse farms. The successful use of pupal parasitoids for management of these pests requires knowledge of seasonal fluctuations and biology of the flies as well as natural parasitism levels. However, these dynamics have not been investigated on small equine farms. A 1-year field study began in July 2010, in north central Florida, to determine adult fly population levels and breeding areas on four small equine farms. Weekly surveillance showed that pest flies were present year-round, though there were differences in adult population levels among farms and seasons. Fly development was not confirmed on two of the four small farms, suggesting that subtle differences in husbandry may adversely affect the development of immature flies. In six substrates previously identified as the most common among the farms, stable fly puparia were found overwhelmingly in hay mixed with equine manure and house fly puparia were found in fresh pine shavings mixed with equine manure. Natural parasitism was minimal as expected, but greatest numbers of natural parasitoids collected were of the genus Spalangia. Differences in adult and immature fly numbers recovered emphasizes the need for farm owners to confirm on-site fly development prior to purchase and release of biological control agents. Additionally, due to the low natural parasitism levels and domination of parasitism by Spalangia cameroni, augmentative releases using this species may be the most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Machtinger
- Entomology and Nematology Dept, Univ of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Entomology and Nematology Dept, Univ of Florida, Charles Steinmetz Hall, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - N C Leppla
- Entomology and Nematology Dept, Univ of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - J A Hogsette
- USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Machtinger ET, Geden CJ. Comparison of the Olfactory Preferences of Four of Filth Fly Pupal Parasitoid Species (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) for Hosts in Equine and Bovine Manure. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 44:1417-24. [PMID: 26314022 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
House flies (Musca domestica L.) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)) (Diptera: Muscidae) are common pests in equine and cattle facilities. Pupal parasitoids, primarily in the genera Spalangia and Muscidifurax (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), can be purchased for biological control of these flies. However, little is known about the host-habitat preferences associated with host-seeking by these parasitoids. The preferences of two Spalangia and two Muscidifurax species to odors associated with house fly hosts in equine and bovine manure were investigated in the laboratory using a Y-tube olfactometer. Odor stimuli from manure without developing flies, third-instar house flies in manure, and fly host puparia in manure were evaluated. In choice tests, S. cameroni and S. endius were strongly attracted to odor associated with equine manure against clean air. Although S. cameroni was attracted to all bovine manure-containing treatments against clean air, S. endius was only attracted to the bovine manure with third-instar flies. There were no significant differences between the Spalangia species in odor responses. Neither Muscidifurax species were attracted to equine manure treatments and were only attracted to the bovine manure with puparia over clean air. In manure comparison studies, bovine treatments with developing flies were more attractive than the equivalent equine treatments to both Muscidifurax species The data suggest that coexistence between the competing pteromalid parasitoids might be promoted by different host-seeking behaviors. Additionally, manure preferences may indicate parasitoid suitability for releases on different livestock and equine facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Machtinger
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL, 32611.
| | - C J Geden
- USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, 1600 S. W. 23rd Dr., Gainesville, FL 32608
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Linear Dispersal of the Filth Fly Parasitoid Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Parasitism of Hosts at Increasing Distances. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129105. [PMID: 26061882 PMCID: PMC4465169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Release of parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as biological control agents for house flies and stable flies in livestock confinements has had variable success. In part, this may reflect a lack of knowledge regarding the optimal distance to be used between parasitoid release stations. In the current study, we assessed the effect of linear distance on host parasitism by the wasp Spalangia cameroni Perkins. In open fields at distances ranging from 1 m to 60 m from a central point, house fly puparia were placed in a mixture of pine shavings soiled with equine manure, urine, and alfalfa hay. Releases of S. cameroni then were made using a 5:1 host: parasitoid ratio. Host pupae were parasitized at all distances, with the highest rate of total parasitism (68.9%) recorded ≤ 5 m from the release site. Analyses of results using non-linear and linear models suggest that S. cameroni should be released in close proximity to host development areas. Additionally, releases may not be suitable in pasture situations where long-distance flight is required for control. However, further testing is needed to examine the effect of density-dependent dispersal and diffusion of S. cameroni.
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