Manure Preferences and Postemergence Learning of Two Filth Fly Parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract

The efficiency of host-seeking behavior is crucial to the reproductive performance of female parasitoids. Initially, parasitoids may use chemical information garnered from the microhabitat in which they emerge to locate hosts. Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor are commercially available parasitoids of filth flies. Postemergence exposure to a specific manure may provide a way to increase parasitism in specific microhabitats found at livestock facilities upon release. In this study, female parasitoids of both species were exposed to equine manure, bovine manure, or clean pupae. Females from each emergence exposure were tested in a two-choice arena (house fly hosts in bovine manure versus clean pupae, equine manure versus clean pupae, and equine manure versus bovine manure) for progeny production. There was a detectable but small effect of postemergence exposure on S. cameroni, but it was not sufficient to reverse innate preferences. Females consistently produced more progeny in hosts found in any manure over clean pupae, and in equine manure over bovine manure. The effect of postemergence exposure on M. raptor was also detectable but small. Females produced equal numbers of progeny in bovine manure versus clean pupae, as opposed to preferring to oviposit in clean pupae as with all other treatments. Preferences by M. raptor were overall less marked than for S. cameroni; indeed most of the variability observed for this species did not result from the treatment design. Residual host mortality was also detectably altered by exposure in both species, but the effect was small. Thus, postemergence exposure did not consistently and effectively manipulate these parasitoids to producing progeny in different exposure manures, suggesting that microhabitat preferences are largely determined by other factors.

Effects of pyriproxyfen on wild populations of the housefly, Musca domestica, and compatibility with its principal parasitoids

“…Insecticides that are to be used in IPM regimes should be compatible with natural enemies of the targeted pests . One of the most common groups of natural enemies of the housefly are parasitoids in the genera Muscidifurax and Spalangia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), both are pupal ecto‐parasitoids that are commercially used in many parts of the world . If these parasitoids develop and feed on a PPF‐treated fly host, they are likely to consume PPF and may thus be affected as well.…”

“…16 One of the most common groups of natural enemies of the housefly are parasitoids in the genera Muscidifurax and Spalangia (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), both are pupal ecto-parasitoids that are commercially used in many parts of the world. 17 If these parasitoids develop and feed on a PPF-treated fly host, they are likely to consume PPF and may thus be affected as well. Data on the compatibility of PPF with housefly natural enemies come from a single study, in which this insecticide was found to be harmless to the parasitoid Spalangia endius Walker in Japan.…”

An Integrated Pest Management Strategy Approach for the Management of the Stable Fly Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae)

“…Biological parasites were released on the farm as part of protocols for controlling immature stages, aiming to establish sustainable reductions in fly populations [5][6][7]. Previous studies have indicated that S. cameroni and M. raptor successfully reproduced on both fly species, S. calcitrans and Musca domestica, in dairy farming [22][23][24]. Azevedo et al [20] have already evaluated the predation capacity of the predatory mites from the Macrochelidae family on fly eggs and neonates.…”

1. Livestock pests and vector-borne diseases – a much neglected subject

“…These disparities may have been partially due to environmental factors and variables that affect host or parasitoid abundance and distribution , and/or biological characteristics of the parasitoid species used. Recent research suggests that parasitoids commonly used as biological control agents may have preferences for specific animal manures (Machtinger and Geden 2015), and that these preferences are not easily manipulated or influenced by post-emergencepost-emergence learning (Taylor et al 2016). Commercial colony quality, microhabitat preferences, and a lack of understanding of the timing and methods of release could have also influenced the success of releases (Patterson and Rutz 1986;Peterson et al 1983).…”