Sex-specific feeding behavior of adult house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Authors: NEUPANE, SARASWOTI - Kansas State University; HALL, BRANDON - Kansas State University; Brooke, Grant; Nayduch, Dana

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/3/2022
Publication Date: 10/28/2022
Citation: Neupane, S., Hall, B., Brooke, G.M., Nayduch, D. 2022. Sex-specific feeding behavior of adult house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Journal of Medical Entomology. 60(1):7-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac161.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjac161

Interpretive Summary: House flies are important reservoirs and transmitters of diverse disease-causing microorganisms that they acquire while foraging for food in agricultural and urban habitats. Nutrient composition of food is important for both fly longevity and reproduction, and female flies require protein for egg production while males do not have this requirement. We investigated whether fly sex and/or mating status influenced their preference for foods with varying macronutrient compositions. Mated or unmated male and female flies were separated by sex and offered four food types, each in 10% solution offered on cotton wicks: sugar (carbohydrate-rich), fat-free milk (protein-rich, moderate carbohydrate), egg yolk (protein and lipid-rich), and water (no macronutrients). Foods were colored with nontoxic dyes, which were rotated between replicates. After 4 h exposure, flies were dissected to determine the type of food(s) they ingested. Overall, house fly sex significantly influenced food preference, where females preferred milk (protein and carbohydrate-rich food), and males preferred mainly sugar (carbohydrate-rich). Furthermore, females were more likely to forage on multiple food types than males (32.81% vs. 10.63% respectively). While the fly's mating status had no overall effect on their food preference, mated preferred milk solutions more than unmated females. We also tested whether food color influenced fly feeding preference, and found that color was most significant when flies were offered one food type, but negligible when multiple food types were present. Our findings indicate that bait-based fly control strategies should consider sex-specific preferences when designing food attractants aimed at targeting and controlling both male and female house flies. Our study also implies that females may be more important in harboring then disseminating microbes as they are more likely to feed on multiple food types and sources.

Technical Abstract: House flies (Musca domestica L.) mechanically vector diverse disease-causing microorganisms while foraging for food in agricultural and urban habitats. Although flies are indiscriminate feeders, nutrient composition of food is important for both fly longevity and reproduction, especially for anautogenous females who require protein for egg production. We investigated whether fly sex and/or mating status influenced their preference for foods with varying macronutrient composition. Mated or unmated male and female flies were separated by sex and offered four food types, each in 10% solution offered on cotton wicks: sugar (carbohydrate-rich), fat-free milk (protein-rich, moderate carbohydrate), egg yolk (protein and lipid-rich), and water (no macronutrients). Foods were colored with nontoxic dyes, which were rotated between replicates. After 4 h exposure, flies were dissected to determine the type of food(s) ingested. Overall, house fly sex significantly influenced food preference, where females preferred milk (protein and carbohydrate-rich food), and males preferred mainly sugar (carbohydrate-rich). Furthermore, 32.81% of females and 10.63% of males foraged on multiple foods. While mating status had no overall effect on food preference, milk preference was significantly higher in mated than unmated females. We also tested whether food color influenced fly feeding preference, and found that color was most significant when flies were offered one food type, but negligible when multiple food types were present. This study suggests that bait-based fly control strategies should consider sex-specific preferences for various food attractants if aiming to target and control both male and female house flies.