Botanically based repellent and insecticidal effects against horn flies and stable flies(Dipera: Muscidae)

Authors: Showler, Allan

Submitted to: Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2017
Publication Date: 6/12/2017
Citation: Showler, A. 2017. Botanically based repellent and insecticidal effects against horn flies and stable flies(Dipera: Muscidae). Integrated Pest Management. 8:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmx010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmx010

Interpretive Summary: Horn flies and stable flies are economically important blood-feeding ectoparasites of cattle and other domesticated and wild animals. Conventional insecticides are used for control of biting flies on cattle but safety concerns and the buildup of insecticide resistance suggest the need for alternative control tactics. Many botanical extracts and oils are comprised of more than one bioactive compound that can exert different modes of action, delaying or averting resistance. More than 20 plant genera have shown repellency and toxicity against horn flies and stable flies. Other botanically-based methods for biting fly control include the use of fatty acids, soybean trypsin inhibitors, and fungal endophytes on forage grasses. Many of the plant-based control methods have been shown to have strong effects against the two biting fly species, but work has only just begun on identifying and, in particular, developing botanically-based tactics.

Technical Abstract: Horn flies, Haematobia irritans irritans (L.) and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), are economically important blood-feeding ectoparasites of cattle, Bos taurus L., and other domesticated and wild animals. Conventional insecticides are used for control of biting flies on cattle but safety concerns and the buildup of insecticide resistance obviate the need for alternative control tactics. Many botanical extracts and oils are comprised of more than one bioactive compound that can exert different modes of action, delaying or averting resistance. Plant genera that have shown repellency and toxicity against horn flies and stable flies include Allium, Azadirachta, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamomum, Cymbopogon, Derris, Eucalyptus, Festuca, Melaleuca, Melinus, Mentha, Nepeta, Nicotiana, Pelargonium, Pogostemon, Ricinus, Rosa, Syzygium, Vitex, and Zyloxanthum. Other botanically-based methods for biting fly control have been investigated, such as the use of fatty acids, soybean trypsin inhibitors, and fungal endophytes on forage grasses. Many of the plant-based control methods have been shown to have strong effects against the two biting fly species, but work has only just begun on identifying and, in particular, developing botanically-based tactics.