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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #81152
Title: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF MUSCA DOMESTICA (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) IN CAGED-LAYERPOULTRY HOUSES IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Author
item CRESPO, DIANA - IMYZA BUENOS AIRES, ARG
item LECUONA, ROBERTO - IMYZA BUENOS AIRES, ARG
item Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Integrated house fly control programs on caged-layer farms have been advocated for many years, but few have been developed and put into practical use. Many producers still rely on pesticides alone for fly control, although many express their desire for environmentally friendly methods. The popularity of biological control is increasing, but producers sdo not know how to maximize the use of biological control agents. Scientists from the Institute of Microbiology and Agricultural Zoology, Buenos Aires in conjunction with scientists from the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, conducted tests in commercial poultry houses to develop basic integrated house fly control programs using biological control agents, namely parasitic wasps, in conjunction with various chemical and non-chemical techniques. The best programs involved limited-use chemical pesticides, cultural controls such as lime, and the use of parasitic wasps. Results indicate that timing of treatment application is important. Pesticides used for reduction of existing house fly populations should be discontinued before parasitic wasps are released.

Technical Abstract: Integrated house fly control programs in caged-layer houses have been developed, but few have been put into use. Biological control agents, such as parasitic wasps, have been popular for use, but improper integration with pesticides can be counter productive. Therefore, tests were performed to develop basic control programs with parasitic wasps and other chemical and non-chemical control techniques. In the best programs, pesticides wer used to reduce existing house fly populations, then discontinued before wasps were released.