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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410089
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Flies of Veterinary Importance

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit

Title: Effects of three desiccant dusts and two dusts augmented with botanicals on house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults

Author
item Showler, Allan
item Harlien, Jessica

Submitted to: Biopesticides International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2024
Publication Date: 6/1/2024
Citation: Showler, A., Harlien, J.L. 2024. Effects of three desiccant dusts and two dusts augmented with botanicals on house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Journal of Economic Entomology. http://dx.doi.org/10.59467/BI.2024.20.73.

Interpretive Summary: The house fly is a nuisance pest and a carrier of pathogenic organisms. Because the fly has developed resistance to a variety of commonly used insecticides, novel alternative pest control tactics are being researched. Five desiccant dust-based formulations, silica gel (CimeXa), perlite (Imergard WP), diatomaceous earth (Deadzone), silica gel + pyrethrins (Drione), and silica gel + thyme oil (EcoVia), were evaluated for lethality against house fly eggs, pupal development, adult emergence, and adults in the laboratory. While silica gel, perlite, and diatomaceous earth did not impede egg hatching, pupal development, and adult emergence from pupae, each of the two botanically augmented silica gel formulations provided 100% control of those life states. Adult house flies exposed through complete immersion and by limited exposure to their feet were eliminated by all of the products. The botanically augmented formulations provided more rapid control (within 3 – 4 h) than the nonaugmented desiccant dusts (up to 24 h). Possible uses of the dusts for house fly control are discussed.

Technical Abstract: The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is considered to be a nuisance pest and a mechanical carrier of medical and veterinary pathogenic organisms. Because the fly has developed resistance to a variety of commonly used insecticides, novel alternative pest control tactics are being researched. Five desiccant dust-based formulations, silica gel (CimeXa), perlite (Imergard WP), diatomaceous earth (Deadzone), silica gel + pyrethrins (Drione), and silica gel + thyme oil (EcoVia), were evaluated for lethality against house fly eggs, pupal development, adult emergence, and adults in the laboratory. While silica gel, perlite, and diatomaceous earth did not impede egg hatching, pupal development, and adult emergence from pupae, each of the two botanically augmented silica gel formulations provided 100% control of those life states. Adult house flies exposed through complete immersion and by limited exposure from tarsal contact were eliminated by all of the three nonaugmented and the two botanically augmented products. The augmented formulations provided more rapid control (3 – 4 h) than the nonaugmented desiccant dusts (<24 h). Possible uses of the dusts for house fly control are discussed.