Biological control of house flies using indogenous ptermalid parasitoids in egg-layer facilities  in Alberta

M. Al-Ani, Louay

	Biological control of house flies using indogenous ptermalid parasitoids in egg-layer facilities in Alberta
Journal of Tikrit University For Agriculture Sciences
Article 1, Volume 12, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 191-204
Author
Louay M. Al-Ani
Abstract
Abstract The efficacy of the pupal parasitoid, M. raptor for the control of the house fly, Musca domestica, was evaluated in three egg-layer poultry farms in Alberta. Shallow and deep pit system egg-layer houses were used. Two houses in shallow pit system were designated as treatment and the other two houses designated as the control. In the deep pit system one house for treatment and one for control was used. Parasites were released at two-week intervals at the rate of 10-parasites/ hen. Fly populations were monitored bi-weekly by using sticky ribbons, baited-jugs, and index cards. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between house fly numbers captured or trapped between the cold and warm seasons. Fly populations declined during cold season. The results suggested that the periods of warm weather, adversely affected parasitoids as well as other flies such as Calliphoridae. The percent parasitism varied between the deep pit and shallow pit poultry houses. The rate of parasitism ranged from 4% to 21 % in the shallow pit system and from 6% to 15% in the deep pit system. This study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of M. raptor as biological control agents for house fly control especially in the deep pit system of the caged-layer poultry houses. Although early colonization of M. raptor in the shallow pit caged-layer poultry system was observed but the parasite populations did not maintained adequate densities in the houses to control flies. Also, the parasitism rate was low in shallow pit systems compared to that in deep pit systems. Therefore, sustained release of M . raptor can be recommended as an integrated part of fly management program for caged-layer poultry houses. Such a program must include, maximum efforts to reduce fly breeding by regular manure management practices, which promote drying of the manure and encourage breeding of large populations of variety of indigenous natural enemies of flies. M.raptor would be quite compatible in an integrated pest management program with predatory beetles and mites, as these would be seeking fly eggs and larvae and not be competing with parasites for fly pupae.
Keywords
biological; House; alberta

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