Stable fly trap development

Authors: Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/26/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) has routinely been attracted to traps made of materials reflecting sun light in attractive wavelengths or combinations of attractive wavelengths. The first attractive material discovered in the US was Alsynite fiberglass. Flat panels were formed into a cross configuration and coated with an adhesive to trap the attracted flies. A cylindrical version was covered with adhesive-coated clear sticky sleeves and was more wind resistant. In 2002 a trap called the Knight Stick (KS) trap was introduced. This trap was a cylinder of plastic pipe covered with an adhesive-coated sleeve made of thin packing foam. The KS trap significantly outperformed the fiberglass traps. Placement of traps around animals was difficult because traps had to be where the animals could not contact them and destroy them. This problem was solved by placing traps inside the compounds with the animals and protecting the traps with electric fence. Traps inside of animal compounds captured significantly more stable flies than traps placed outside of the perimeter fence. The KS traps were usually serviced weekly as the sticky sleeves became covered with flies and were no longer attractive. The KS traps were placed inside of cylinders of pesticide-treated mesh that left a space of 2.5-cm between the mesh and the trap surface. An array of openings was made in the mesh to minimize any loss of attraction caused by the mesh and to allow an entryway for the attracted flies to try to reach the trap. Openings were large enough for the flies to pass through, but they could not fly through. In semi-field tests, the mesh killed more than 95 % of the flies before they could reach the trap surface. This greatly extended the life of the sticky wraps and the need to service the traps.

Technical Abstract: Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) has routinely been attracted to traps made of materials reflecting sun light in attractive wavelengths or combinations of attractive wavelengths. The first attractive material discovered in the US was Alsynite fiberglass. Flat panels were formed into a cross configuration and coated with an adhesive to trap the attracted flies. A cylindrical version was covered with adhesive-coated clear sticky sleeves and was more wind resistant. In 2002 a trap called the Knight Stick (KS) trap was introduced. This trap was a cylinder of plastic pipe covered with an adhesive-coated sleeve made of thin packing foam. The KS trap significantly outperformed the fiberglass traps. Placement of traps around animals was difficult because traps had to be where the animals could not contact them and destroy them. This problem was solved by placing traps inside the compounds with the animals and protecting the traps with electric fence. Traps inside of animal compounds captured significantly more stable flies than traps placed outside of the perimeter fence. The KS traps were usually serviced weekly as the sticky sleeves became covered with flies and were no longer attractive. The KS traps were placed inside of cylinders of pesticide-treated mesh that left a space of 2.5-cm between the mesh and the trap surface. An array of openings was made in the mesh to minimize any loss of attraction caused by the mesh and to allow an entryway for the attracted flies to try to reach the trap. Openings were large enough for the flies to pass through, but they could not fly through. In semi-field tests, the mesh killed more than 95 % of the flies before they could reach the trap surface. This greatly extended the life of the sticky wraps and the need to service the traps.