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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280078

Title: Push and Pull strategy in control of filth flies in urban settings

Author
item Zhu, Junwei - Jerry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2012
Publication Date: 6/4/2012
Citation: Zhu, J.J. 2012. Push and Pull strategy in control of filth flies in urban settings. In: D.R. Suiter, editor. Proceedings of the National Conference on Urban Entomology, May 20-23, 2012, Atlanta, Georgia. p. 168.

Interpretive Summary: Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and house flies (Musca dometica) are two of the most serious pests commonly found in agricultural and urban settings. Although stable flies are primarily around livestock animals, they sometimes observed to attack pet animals and humans in rural and recreation areas. Their feeding on livestock animals can led to increased disease incidence, reproductive failure and reduction of meat and milk yields, with estimated economic loss up to 2 billions of dollars in beef and dairy industry. The housefly is a well-known cosmopolitan pest of both agricultural and urban environments. Houseflies cause annoyance to humans and animals and vector many medical and veterinary pathogenic organisms. The use of insecticides become a common control method, but, both flies have developed resistance to several insecticide classes The current presentation reports our recent discoveries on the identification of novel botanical-based fly repellents, oviposition deterrents and larvicidal activities, as well as some potential food-grade fly attractants. I will also discuss the future development of Push-Pull strategy using these potential attractants and the behavioral inhibitants/repellents in fly management.

Technical Abstract: The present study reports the discovery of several natural substances associated volatile compounds that may be used as chemical cues for adult flies for host and oviposition location. Among them, 1-octen-3-ol, phenol and cresol and sulfide-related compounds elicited significant EAG responses from both species, and being further shown with strong behavioral responses. Both liquid and granules of the repellent formulations have been developed, and tested with significant repellency and deterrence against both adult and immature of both fly species.