ARS | Publication request: Nuisance flies on Australian cattle feedlots: immature populations.

Submitted to: Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 17, 2011
Publication Date: January 9, 2012
Citation: Hogsette, Jr, J.A., Urech, R., Green, P.E., Skerman, A., Elson-Harris, M.M., Bright, R.L., Brown, G.W. 2012. Nuisance flies on Australian cattle feedlots: immature populations. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 26:46-55.

Interpretive Summary: Australians produce beef on large feedlots and nuisance fly complaints have been numerous. To better control flies, more information was needed about fly species and their biology. Our 3-year study showed that House fly and stable fly larvae constituted 86% and 10%, respectively, of fly species. House flies were numerous in spring, summer and fall, and stable flies were numerous in spring and autumn. Highest density of larvae was in moist mixtures of vegetation, and manure.

Technical Abstract: Like the US, Australia produces beef on large feedlots. Complaints of fly problems prompted a request for information on biology and management of feedlot flies. Therefore, USDA-CMAVE scientists worked cooperatively for 3 years with Australian scientists to determine species composition, seasonality and distribution of immature flies on a Queensland feedlot. House fly and stable fly larvae constituted 86% and 10%, respectively, of fly species. House flies were numerous in spring, summer and fall, and stable flies were numerous in spring and autumn. Highest density of larvae was in moist mixtures of vegetation, and manure.