Biology and ecology of Stomoxys nigra Macquart and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera, Muscidae) in Mauritius

Abstract

The distribution and seasonal abundance of Stomoxys nigra nigra Macq. and S. calcitrans (L.) in Mauritius was determined by field surveys in 1973-74. S. nigra, the species of major importance, is most common throughout the wetter, higher elevations where it becomes a major pest of cattle. S. calcitrans occurs throughout the island to a much lesser extent. Coastal areas with less than 60 inches of rain are generally free of damaging infestations of both species. Seasonal infestation levels were determined by making counts of flies feeding on animals and of flies on resting surfaces. Populations of up to 200 5. nigfa per animal were highest during the warm, wet, sugar-cane cropping season but declined to generally nondamaging levels during the cool season. S. calcitrans increased up to 145 flies/animal during the cool, drier season and virtually disappeared during the wet season. S. nigra accounted for up to 98% of the total Stomoxys infestation with S. calcitrans making up 62 % of the total at one study site during the study.Sugar-cane debris in fields was found to be the primary breeding source for 5. nigra, whereas decaying manure and organic matter provided the source for S. calcitrans. Generation-to-generation increases were usually below five-fold for both species. Both species exhibit two feeding peaks throughout the day at temperatures of 14°C or above.

First survey of seasonal abundance and daily activity ofStomoxysspp. (Diptera: Muscidae) in Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakornpathom province, Thailand

“…Most of the authors who have published about the activity of those flies worked on S. calcitrans only. Bimodal feeding activity patterns for stable flies were reported by Mitzmain (1913), Simmonds (1944), Labrecque et al (1975), Kunz &Monty (1976), andCharlwood &Lopes (1980). In contrast, Coaker & Passmore (1958) and Harley (1965) observed uniform or unimodal feeding activity patterns through the daylight hours.…”

Olfaction in vector-host interactions

“…In terms of endogenous activity, laboratory studies suggest a single daily peak, with a free running period of approximately 26 hours (Schofield and Brady 1996). Diel field activity is often bimodal (Beresford and Sutcliffe 2006, Charlwood and Lopes 1980, Kunz and Monty 1976, Schofield 1998, for example with morning and evening peaks, though unimodal patterns have also been described Campbell 1985, Harley 1964). Regardless of the specific feeding periodicity or activity cycle, the reality for stable flies, especially females, is that they feed often.…”

“…Much, though not all (Kunz and Monty 1976, Zumpt 1973) of our knowledge concerning Stomoxys biology comes from work done on stable flies. Like tsetse, stable flies are day-active and both sexes blood feed, which provides the materials necessary for males to develop reproductive competence (Anderson 1978, Venkatesh and Morrison 1980, and females to develop ovaries (Chia et al 1982, Kuzina 1942, Spates et al 1988, Venkatesh and Morrison 1980.…”

Trypanosoma evansiand Surra: A Review and Perspectives on Transmission, Epidemiology and Control, Impact, and Zoonotic Aspects

“…This is unlikely to be due to residual blood on the mouthparts (survival was proven to be limited to 30 min in Stomoxys ), but rather to the regurgitation of infected blood from the crop. However, it was demonstrated that Stomoxys may naturally have two blood meals in the same day or at 24-hour intervals [13]. This observation potentially has a very high epidemiological impact because a “split blood meal” would allow transmission over long time intervals.…”