Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238993
Title: Pollen as a tool for tracking stable flies.

Author
item JARZEN, D
item Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2009
Publication Date: 3/20/2009
Citation: Jarzen, D.M., Hogsertte Jr., J.A. 2009. Pollen as a tool for tracking stable flies. Florida Scientist, 72(Supplement 1). 29.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The stable fly, (Stomoxys calcitrans L.), is an important pest of humans and livestock in many parts of the world. Its immature stages develop in decaying vegetation, e.g. hya, silage, feed, mulch and grass clippings, in agricultural and urban areas. although both sexes are oligate blood feeders, this fly uses nectar from flowers as an energy source for local and long distance flight. Pollen from these flowers becomes attached to the nectar-feeding flies, which thereby indicates which herbaceous plants or trees the flies have visited and, at times, the route used by the flies to arrive at their point of capture. Stable flies collected on sticky traps at the University of Florida Horse Teaching Unit (HTU) in March, 2008, were examined for the presence of pollen adhering to their exoskeletons. The pollen was recovered and identified as Carolina willow, Salix caroliniana Michaux, 1803. This small shrub or tree is common throughout Florida primarily in wetland areas. Carolina will was blooming at the HTU when the flies were captured, so it was impossible to determine whether the poolen on the flies was from on-site Carolina willows or from the many Carolina willos on Paynes Prairie to the south.