Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Erika Machtinger

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Brief discussion on filth fly problems in livestock operations Review of house and stable flies IPM Biological Control Parasitoids Current Research

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Many, many different types of pests Focus on two main types in livestock operations House flies Stable flies Problem Cause Disease Annoyance Loss of physical condition Injury Long dispersal flights

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans Habitat Feeding Population Dynamics

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program Seeks to maximize the effectiveness, conserving beneficial insects and minimizing pesticide use Pest identification and monitoring Controlling filth flies Traps Insecticides Cultural control Biological control

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Three types of biological control Conservation Supplementing with food, habitat or other resources to maintain natural enemies Classical Biological Introduction of natural enemies to a new locale where they did not originate or do not occur naturally. Augmentation Supplemental release of natural enemies.

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Biological Control Nature can help in the battle against flies by providing natural enemies predatory beetles and mites, parasitic wasps, and fly pathogens

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Parasitic wasps Tiny Harmless to humans Effective in the right conditions Wasps are commercially available Life cycle

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Filth Fly Research with IPM Florida Other systems well known Horses contribute substantially to the economy in Florida Ranchettes are a fast growing sector of real estate Horse owners do not act like small for-profit farm owners

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Focus is on small equestrian farms (ranchettes) Common in Florida 3-10 acres About 2 horses/acre Mostly pasture, may have run in sheds/barns

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Goals Increase the knowledge of the biology of filth flies and their associated natural parasitoids on equine mini farms in north Florida Produce educational and extension materials

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Objectives Determine levels of filth fly breeding on equestrian mini farms. Differentiate between migrant adult stable flies and those that result from breeding on-site. Determine natural filth fly parasitoid species composition and percent parasitism. Produce educational materials to increase awareness of control for filth flies on equine mini farms in north Florida.

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations The study Six comparable sites located in Alachua county Management protocols Samples for adults (traps) and pupae (trowel) conducted weekly Individually stored Emerged parasitoids identified Percent parasitism will be determined

Biological Control of Filth Flies for Livestock Operations Control What can we do with this information? What methods would be most effective if breeding is occurring on site? What if it is emigration? What could cause a difference in breeding on site vs. emigration?