Effects of four commercial fungal formulations on mortality and sporulation in house flies (Musca domestica) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans). Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The house fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) are major pests of livestock. Biological control is an important tool in an integrated control framework. Increased mortality in filth flies has been documented with entomopathogenic fungi, several strains of which are commercially available. Three strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and one strain of Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were tested in commercial formulations for pathogenicity against house flies and stable flies. There was a significant increase in mortality of house flies with three of the formulations, BotaniGard ES, Mycotrol O, and Met52 EC, during days 4-9 in comparison with balEnce and the control. In stable flies, mortality rates were highest with Met52 EC, followed by Mycotrol O, BotaniGard ES and, finally, balEnce. There was a significant fungal effect on sporulation in both house flies and stable flies. Product formulation, species differences and fungal strains may be responsible for some of the differences observed. Future testing in field situations is necessary. These commercial biopesticides may represent important tools in integrated fly management programmes.

published proceedings

  • Med Vet Entomol

altmetric score

  • 0.5

author list (cited authors)

  • Weeks, E., Machtinger, E. T., Gezan, S. A., Kaufman, P. E., & Geden, C. J.

citation count

  • 23

complete list of authors

  • Weeks, ENI||Machtinger, ET||Gezan, SA||Kaufman, PE||Geden, CJ

publication date

  • March 2017

publisher