ARS | Publication request: BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE OF STOMOXYS CALCITRANS (L.)(DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) TO ITS OWN FECES AND FECES EXTRACTS

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 22, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The stable fly attacks horses, cattle and humans and is a pest on Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. The development of effective traps for this species has been hindered by the lack of effective attractants. Scientists at the USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology in Gainesville, Florida have found a stable fly attractant in the feces of flies and in the residue from flies in rearing cages after the flies have died. This attractant material is soluble in water or alcohol and remains attractive for a month. The chemicals present in this material, once they are identified, could be useful in a trap designed to catch and control stable flies without the use of pesticide.

Technical Abstract: The attraction response of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) to its own feces was evaluated in a triple cage olfactometer. Both time-response and concentration-response relationships were obtained for female S. calcitrans exposed to cellulose sponges impregnated with fresh fly feces or filter papers treated with a chloroform:methanol (2:1) extract of fresh fly feces in 6 min tests. Attraction to feces collected on cellulose sponges decreased as the air flow increased. Feces collected on cellulose sponges and held for 28-31 days retained attractive activity. Female flies were more attracted than males to feces on sponges. The activity of feces extract on filter paper decreased rapidly. Polar solvent extracts of feces-contaminated cages were more attractive to females (26%) than to males (14%).