Susceptibility of adult house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and three of its principal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to the GHA strain of Beauveria bassiana and to four isolates from field-collected muscid flies

Authors: Pagac, Alexandra; Geden, Christopher - Chris; MARTIN, GREGORY - Pennsylvania State University; PATTERSON, PAUL - Pennsylvania State University; JOHNSON, DANA - Former ARS Employee; MACHTINGER, ERIKA - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2023
Publication Date: 8/29/2023
Citation: Pagac, A.A., Geden, C.J., Martin, G.P., Patterson, P.H., Johnson, D.M., Machtinger, E.T. 2023. Susceptibility of adult house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and three of its principal parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to the GHA strain of Beauveria bassiana and to four isolates from field-collected muscid flies. Journal of Medical Entomology. 60(6):1364–1373. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad108.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad108

Interpretive Summary: House fly (Musca domestica L, Diptera: Muscidae) populations can negatively impact poultry layer facilities and can pose a risk to human and animal health. House flies can develop resistance to traditional chemical control methods quickly therefore improved biological control methods are needed to create better integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Biological control methods currently used include augmentative releases of pteromalid pupal parasitoids and application of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana'(Balsamo) Vuillemin. In this study, conducted by scientists at Penn State University and USDA-ARS-CMAVE (Gainesville, FL), bioassays were conducted to compare the efficacy of B. bassiana strains isolated from muscid flies collected in the field on house flies and three species of filth fly parasitoids. The GHA strain of B. bassiana was tested for comparative purposes. All strains isolated from muscid flies were more effective against house flies than GHA. Parasitoids were less senstive to B. bassiana than the target flies. It is expected that the use of the most effective tested strains of B. bassiana and filth fly parasitoids are compatible as part of an IPM plan for fly control on poultry facilities.

Technical Abstract: House fly (Musca domestica L, Diptera: Muscidae) populations can negatively impact poultry layer facilities and can pose a risk to human and animal health. House flies can develop resistance to traditional chemical control methods quickly therefore improved biological control methods are needed to create better integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Biological control methods currently used include augmentative releases of pteromalid pupal parasitoids and application of the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana'(Balsamo) Vuillemin. In this study, bioassays were conducted to compare the efficacy of B. bassiana strains isolated from muscid flies collected in the field on house flies and three species of filth fly parasitoids. The GHA strain of B. bassiana was tested for comparative purposes. Flies and parasitoids were exposed to filter paper treated with a suspension of 1x109 spores of each strain as well as a negative control. All strains isolated from muscid flies induced lower mean survival times in house flies than GHA. The results for all species of parasitoids demonstrated less difference between the treatment groups and the control than in house flies. Although there was some effect of B. bassiana exposure on parasitoid mortality, the expected spatial separation of parasitoids from areas of application may offer some protection. It is expected that the use of the most effective tested strains of B. bassiana and filth fly parasitoids are compatible as part of an IPM plan for fly control on poultry facilities.