Detection of Campylobacter and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from filth flies by polymerase chain reaction

Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) that breed in faeces and other organic refuse (filth flies) have been implicated as vectors of pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli O157:H7, which cause haemorrhagic colitis in humans, and Campylobacter, which is the principal causative agent of human enteritis. The potential role of filth flies in the epidemiology of these pathogens in the United States was investigated by examining the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 from two Arkansas turkey facilities. Polymerase chain reaction was conducted on DNA extractions of individual Musca domestica Linnaeus, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus), Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann), Adia cinerella Fallen and turkey faecal samples using primers specific for E. coli H7, O157 and Campylobacter spp. Culturing verified that the flies were carrying viable Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7. Results from this study indicated that M. domestica, S. calcitrans, H. aenescens and Anthomyids are capable of carrying Campylobacter in North American poultry facilities and that the E. coli O157:H7 is carried by house flies and black dump flies associated with poultry. This PCR method provided a rapid and effective method to identify Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 directly from individual filth flies.     

Diptera as vectors of mycobacterial infections in cattle and pigs

Mycobacteria were isolated from 14 (4.5%) of 314 samples, containing 7791 adult Diptera, which were collected in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1997-2000. These flies were collected from three cattle herds with paratuberculosis, two pig herds with mycobacterial infections and one farm that kept both cattle and pigs and that did not have problems of mycobacterial infections. Mycobacterium intracellulare was isolated from Eristalis tenax Linnaeus (Diptera: Syrphidae) captured from a pig herd. Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium (serotype 8) was isolated from flies of the genera Drosophila Fallen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Musca Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) originating from a pig herd. Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from Musca spp. and Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated from dung flies of the genus Scatophaga Meigen (Diptera: Scatophagidae), Musca spp. and Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae) captured in the same herd. Mycobacterium scrofulaceum was isolated from S. calcitrans from the farm with both cattle and pigs. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis was isolated from Scatophaga spp. collected from pastures grazed by one of the cattle herds and from Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Lucilia caesar Linnaeus (Diptera: Calliphoridae) captured in a slaughterhouse, where cattle infected with paratuberculosis were slaughtered. Mycobacterium phlei was isolated from flies of the genus Lucilia captured at a waste bin. These data indicate that mycobacteria may be spread by adult flies that have been in contact with material contaminated with these pathogens.     

Dynamics of cypermethrin resistance in the field in the horn fly,Haematobia irritans

The toxicity of cypermethrin to the horn fly Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) was determined for samples collected from untreated herds at a farm in central Argentina from October 1997 to May 2001. Field tests of the efficacy of cypermethrin against horn flies were first carried out at this farm in 1993, when the fly was shown to be susceptible to pyrethroids. Subsequently the horn fly populations on this farm were shown to have become resistant and, since 1997, the use of cypermethrin has been restricted to experimental purposes. In this study, fly samples collected in 1999, 2000 and 2001 were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of a specific nucleotide substitution in the sodium channel gene sequence, which has been associated with target site insensitivity to pyrethroids. This analysis showed that the level of cypermethrin resistance had diminished between 1997 and 2001. However, this was not sufficient to restore the efficacy of this pyrethroid to the level found prior to the onset of resistance. Heterozygous and homozygous resistant flies were detected in all samples of flies subjected to PCR diagnosis of alleles conferring target site resistance.     

Attraction of Stomoxys sp. to various fruits and flowers in Mali

The attraction of three Stomoxys species to 26 fruits and 26 flowers of different plant species was investigated in two different sites in Mali during 2008. Stomoxys niger bilineatus Grunberg (Diptera: Muscidae) was attracted to a wider spectrum of species, significantly attracted by four fruits and eight flowers compared with control traps, whereas S. sitiens Rondani (Diptera: Muscidae) was attracted to six fruits and seven flowers of different plants, and S. calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae) was only attracted to one fruit and three flowers. Cold anthrone assays showed a significantly higher prevalence of sugar feeding amongst all three species at the lagoon site than at the site near Mopti. The rhythm of activity study shows temporally separated blood- and sugar-feeding periods for S. niger bilineatus and S. sitiens, but not for S. calcitrans. A comparison between blood and sugar feeding throughout the day shows that sugar feeding activity is as frequent as blood feeding activity. Because not much is known about the preferred sugar sources for Stomoxys species in their natural habitats, the present study provides valuable information regarding the attraction capability of several plants with possible future implication for Stomoxys control strategies.     

Pasture dragging fails to reliably suppress the emergence of horn flies (Haematobia irritans) and face flies (Musca autumnalis) from dung pats in a Mid-Atlantic North American climate

The beef industry endures major economic losses from a complex of flies that feed on bovine blood and mucus. For cattle on pasture, the most important of these pests are horn flies (Haematobia irritans [L.] [Diptera: Muscidae]) and face flies (Musca autumnalis [Diptera: Muscidae] De Geer). Pasture dragging to spread manure pats has been promoted as a management tactic for these species because their larvae inhabit bovine manure pats, but the efficacy of this practice has not been empirically validated. Spreading pats might promote fly mortality through desiccation or overheating, but these processes are weather-dependent and warrant testing in disparate climates. We evaluated pasture dragging effects while monitoring for weather interactions throughout nine experiment rounds in summers of 2018 and 2020 in Pennsylvania, USA. The manure spreading treatments increased pat surface area up to 300% but failed to significantly reduce emergence of horn flies and face flies as compared to controls. In contrast, precipitation and temperature were significant predictors in fly emergence models. Surprisingly, face fly emergence was significantly elevated in dragged pats twice in 2020. These data call for a reevaluation of pasture dragging as a management technique for horn flies and face flies across a range of climates.     

The housefly, Musca domestica, as a possible mechanical vector of Newcastle disease virus in the laboratory and field

Newcastle disease (Paramyxoviridae) is a highly infectious virus shed in the faeces of infected birds. Non-biting Muscid flies characteristically visit manure and decaying organic material to feed and oviposit, and may contribute to disease transmission. The housefly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Muscidae), has been implicated as a mechanical vector of numerous pathogens. In this study 2000 aerial net-captured houseflies were examined for their ability to harbour Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In an adjacent study, laboratory-reared flies were experimentally exposed to NDV La Sota strain. The virus was detected in the dissected gastrointestinal tract of laboratory-exposed flies for up to 72 h post-exposure, whereas the untreated control flies were negative.     

Distinctive hydrocarbons of the black dump fly, Hydrotaea aenescens (Diptera: Muscidae).

Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann), the black dump fly, is a potential biological control agent originally from the western hemisphere, now found in many parts of the Palearctic region except for the United Kingdom, where it cannot be imported for any reason. A complication of classical biological control is the problem of strain identification, as one must be able to somehow mark or follow a particular strain that has been introduced into the field or is contemplated for release. Gas chromatographic analysis of the surface hydrocarbons of pooled and individual dump fly adults resulted in reproducible hydrocarbon patterns that differentiated widely distributed strains of H. aenescens and showed similarities between strains that were related. Sexual dimorphism was observed in the surface hydrocarbons. Conspecific similarities included identities of the hydrocarbons found in colony material collected worldwide, with differences being found in the quantities of compounds present.     

Diptera Brachycera found inside the esophagus of a mummified adult male from the early XIX century, Lisbon, Portugal

Fly puparia and adult fragments of diptera muscid were found inside the esophagus of a mummified body from the early XIX century, buried inside the crypt of the Sacrament Church (Lisbon, Portugal). The identification of the material revealed a monospecific colonization by Ophyra capensis (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Muscidae), a species known to invade corpses in the ammoniacal fermentation wave. This species can be found in corpses kept indoors, not available to the early waves of blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). In the present case, the number of pupae and their developmental stage suggest that the female invaded the mummified corpse through the partially opened mouth and the oviposition took place directly inside the esophagus. This is the first case of O. capensis infesting internal organs of an intact corpse. The use of chemical products for the embalming process probably explains why external colonization did not occur.     

Effects of the parasitic botfly Philornis carinatus on nestling house wrens,Troglodytes aedon,in Costa Rica

I studied the life cycle of a botfly (Diptera: Muscidae: Philornis carinatus) and examined the effects of botfly ectoparasitism on nestling house wrens (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae: Troglodytes aedon) during three years in Costa Rica. At three study sites, I found that nestlings were relatively unaffected by botflies, in contrast to all other studies of birds infected with philornid botflies. At Monteverde, the main study site, infected chicks grew slightly slower and had slightly shorter tarsi and wing chords than uninfected chicks, but both groups fledged at similar weights. Since weight at fledging is the only growth character associated with post-fledging survivorship, botfly infections likely cost wrens little in terms of fitness. At all sites, fledging success did not differ between infected and uninfected nests. Botfly infections were more prevalent at two lower elevation sites than at the high elevation Monteverde side. Infection prevalence increased during the nesting season at all study sites, which suggests a botfly life cycle in which adult population levels increase during the wren breeding season and then decline during a dormant period when wrens are not nesting. Finally, botflies may attack chicks throughout the period before fledging, but there is no indication they locate nests before hatching. In sum, botfly parasitism on wrens appears to be benign, perhaps because the study sites are at the edge of the botfly's range or because wrens are not a preferred host.     

Sarcosaprophagous Diptera assemblages in natural habitats in central Spain: spatial and seasonal changes in composition

The composition and spatial distribution of sarcosaprophagous Diptera assemblages were studied using carrion‐baited traps along a bioclimatic gradient of natural habitats in central Spain throughout the different seasons during 1 year. Calliphoridae and Muscidae were the most abundant families, accounting for, respectively, 41.9% and 35.1% of all Diptera specimens collected. Other abundant families were Heleomyzidae (8.4%), Sarcophagidae (6.9%) and Piophilidae (5.1%). Fly assemblage compositions differed among bioclimatic levels, with Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) being the dominant species in mesomediterranean habitats, Muscina levida (Harris) (Diptera: Muscidae) the dominant species in supramediterranean habitats, and Prochyliza nigrimana (Meigen) (Diptera: Piophilidae) the dominant species in oromediterranean habitats. Differences in assemblage composition were also found among seasons. Thermophobic species such as Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and some species of Heleomyzidae were well represented during autumn, winter and spring in the three bioclimatic levels sampled. By contrast, thermophilic species such as Ch. albiceps and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and most Muscidae and Sarcophagidae species were more abundant during summer and in mesomediterranean habitats located at lower elevations. Knowledge of the preferences of some species for certain habitats may be of ecological and forensic value and may establish a starting point for further research.     

中国贵州妙蝇属(双翅目,蝇科)分类学研究及新定义的黄股妙蝇群三新种记述(英文)

系贵州地区妙蝇属Myospila Rondani研究的系列论文之一,记述该属1新种群,黄股妙蝇群Myospila femorataspecies-group,并描述该新种群3新种:弯端妙蝇Myospilaacrula sp.nov.,黄叶妙蝇Myospila flavilobulusa sp.nov.和绯角妙蝇Myospila ruficornica sp.nov.。文中给出了黄股妙蝇群的定义,编制了该新种群所有已知8种的检索表,描述了新种详细的形态特征及其与近缘种的鉴别特征。新种的模式标本保存于作者所在单位。黄股妙蝇群的鉴别特征本文定义的黄股妙蝇群具备下列区别于妙蝇属其它成员的组合特征雄额狭,至多如单眼三角宽,触角黄色或黑色;前胸基腹片具毛;小盾片黑色,背面的正常毛被不越出缘鬃一线,且下侧缘无向下弯的、或多或少呈淡色的细毛;翅内鬃1+2或1+2;翅的前缘基鳞及翅肩鳞黄色。R1脉背面通常具毛;R4+5脉基部具毛或裸。足主要呈黄色,但个别跗节呈暗色。在上述黄股妙蝇群的鉴别特征中,仅小盾片黑色,翅的前缘基鳞及翅肩鳞黄色及足主要呈黄色这一组合特征是突出的、特有的,足以区别妙蝇属中前胸基腹片具毛,下腋瓣不具小叶(棘蝇型)和小盾片侧腹缘裸的类群。黄股妙蝇群的分种检索表1.触角通常橘黄色或暗红色,雄额宽等于或略狭于单眼三角宽,如果雄额狭窄如线,则触角呈黑色……………………………………2触角黑色,雄额宽通常等于前单眼宽,仅个别如单眼三角宽…62.翅内鬃1+1…………………………………………………………3翅内鬃1+2…………………………………………………………43.雄额宽约如头宽的的0.07倍,R1脉背面具稀疏毛,R4+5脉裸黄叶妙蝇,新种M.flavilobulusa sp.nov.……………………………雄额宽约如头宽的的0.05倍(据Shinonaga,2003),R1脉背面裸,R4+5脉背、腹面具毛……怯妙蝇M.pudica(Stein,1915)4.下后头具黄色毛………绯角妙蝇,新种M.ruficornica sp.nov.下后头具黑色毛……………………………………………………55.额宽约如前单眼宽或狭如线,触角黑色至黑褐色,背侧片裸,R1脉基半具毛,足基节黑色,腹第5背板全黑黄股妙蝇M.femorata(Malloch,1935)…………………………………………………额宽约如单眼三角宽,触角橘黄色或暗橘黄色,背侧片具毛,R1脉几乎全长具毛,足基节黑褐色,腹第5背板端部黄色黄尾妙蝇M.flavicauda Wei,1991…………………………………………6.雄额宽,约如单眼三角宽,下后头具黄色毛,跗节黑色弯端妙蝇,新种M.acrula sp.nov.…………………………………………雄额狭,仅约如前单眼宽,下后头具黑色毛,跗节黄色…………77.雄腹第3背板具1对小而略圆的斑,R1脉背面全长具毛暗基妙蝇M.fuscicoxa(Li,1980)…………………………………………雄腹第3背板无斑,R1脉背面基部1/3具毛类暗基妙蝇M.fuscicoxoides Xue et Lin,1996……………………………………1弯端妙蝇,新种M.acrula sp.nov.(图1～3)雄体长约8～9mm。在黄股妙蝇群中,新种前股黑色是独有的特征,新种与暗基妙蝇M.fuscicoxa(Li,1980)和类暗基妙蝇M.fuscicoxoidesXue et Lin,1996近缘,3者的区别详检索表的记述。正模♂,贵州平坝大坡林场(25°24.3’N,106°8.3’E;海拔1400m),2007年9月22日,魏濂艨、曹维平、刘美华、张田等采。副模:3♂♂,同正模;1♂,贵州平坝城关林场,海拔1200m,2007年11月24,28日,魏濂艨、曹维平、刘美华、张田等采;3♂♂,采集人及采集地同上,2007年12月22日;1♂,贵州安顺凤凰山林场,海拔1300m,2009年3月11日,魏濂艨、曹维平、刘美华等采;2♂♂,贵州关岭红岩碑,海拔1000m,2009年1月18日,魏濂艨、曹维平、刘美华等采;1♂,采集人及采集地同上,2009年2月18日;1♂,黄果树王安村,海拔1100m,人工松林,魏濂艨、蒋绍贵、曹维平、张宵等采,2009年1月18日;1♂,贵州关岭花江大峡谷,海拔640m,2009年1月6～15日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、龙彪、张波、刘美华等采;1♂,采集地同上,2009年12月9日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵等采;1♂,贵州关岭断桥,海拔500m,2008年3月18日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、金伟等采;1♂,安顺市对门山,海拔1300m,2009年1月1日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵等采集;5♂♂,贵州紫云浪风关林场,海拔1300m,2009年2月22日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、吴建霖、刘美华等采;3♂♂,采集人及采集地同上,2009年3月22～31日;2♂♂,贵州普定城关林场,海拔1200m,2009年9月12日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、王玉胜等采;1♂,采集人及采集地同上,2009年9月9日;1♂,贵州普定猴场普屯坝,海拔1500m,2007年10月20～21日,魏濂艨、曹维平、刘美华、吴建霖、张田、寿天虹、顾鸥等采;1♂,贵州普定补郎35公桩,海拔1550m,2009年9月1～30日;魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、龙彪等采;7♂♂,贵州安顺轿子山林场,海拔1500m,2007年10月1～30日,魏濂艨、曹维平、龙彪、刘美华等采;1♂,采集人及采集地同上,2009年6月1～30日。词源:新种种名源自希腊词acrul意为"端部弯曲的",在此指新种类雄肛尾叶端部弯曲。2黄叶妙蝇,新种M.flavilobulusa sp.nov.(图4～6)雄体长约5.8mm。新种十分类似怯妙蝇M.pudica(Stein,1915),两者的区别详检索表的记述。正模♂,贵州关岭花江大峡谷(25°41.94’N,105°36.1’E;海拔640m),2009年9月11日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、刘美华等采。副模:1♂,采集地及采集人同正模,2008年11月29～30日;1♂,采集地同正模,2008年11月2～4日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、寿天虹等采;1♂,贵州关岭断桥,海拔600m,2009年11月2～4日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、刘美华、龙彪等采。词源:新种种名源自拉丁词flav意为"黄色",lobulusa意为"叶",在此指新种雄第5腹板侧叶黄色。3绯角妙蝇,新种M.ruficornica sp.nov.(图7～9)雄体长约5.8mm。新种十分类似黄股妙蝇M.femorata(Malloch,1935)和黄尾妙蝇M.flavicauda Wei,1991,3者的区别详检索表的记述。正模♂,贵州关岭花江大峡谷(25°41.94’N,105°36.1’E;海拔640m),2008年11月29～30日,魏濂艨、曹维平、蒋绍贵、刘美华等采。词源:新种种名源自拉丁词ruf意为"暗红色",cornice意为"触角",在此指新种触角呈暗红色。     

Blowfly succession from possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) carrion in a sheep-farming zone

The significance of brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr (Diprotodontia: Phalangeridae) carcasses to the succession and production of Diptera species and its relevance to fly strike management in Tasmania, Australia was examined. Calliphora stygia (Fabricius), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were found to be the most abundant and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) always the least abundant (< 1%) of the putative primary fly invading species to emerge. Carcasses that were left for up to 15 days in the field before being exposed to flies for 2 days also acted as breeding sites for large numbers of all primary fly species, with the exception of L. cuprina. Ordination analysis revealed no relationship between possum carcasses according to their length of exposure but did show significant negative associations between the number of putative secondary invaders (Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Chrysomya varipes (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and putative tertiary flies (Hydrotaea rostrata Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae)) to the number of C. vicina or C. stygia to emerge. There was enormous variability in the numbers of secondary/tertiary fly species to emerge from carcasses (0-11 450) that negatively correlated with the proportion of all flies to emerge that were primary, and with the mean size of adult L. sericata. Although carcass temperatures, especially those with a large larval population, were elevated, this did not appear to result in significant pre-adult fly mortality. The most important primary fly strike species L. cuprina was only found in insignificant numbers, whereas three other members of the fly strike fauna C. stygia, L. sericata and Ch. rufifacies did use possum carrion as an important breeding resource, but left implications for fly strike management inconclusive.     

Identification of stable fly attractant compounds in vinasse,a byproduct of sugarcane–ethanol distillation

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), is a worldwide pest of livestock. Recent outbreaks of stable flies in sugarcane fields in Brazil have become a serious problem for livestock producers. Larvae and pupae found inside sugarcane stems after harvesting may indicate that stable flies use these stems as potential oviposition or larval development sites. Field observations suggest that outbreaks of stable flies are associated with the vinasse and filter cake derived from biomass distillation in sugarcane ethanol production that are used as fertilizers in sugarcane fields. Adult stable flies are attracted to vinasse, which appears to present an ideal larval development site. The primary goal of the present study is to demonstrate the role of vinasse in influencing the sensory physiological and behavioural responses of stable flies, and to identify its associated volatile attractant compounds. Both laboratory and field studies showed that vinasse is extremely attractive to adult stable flies. Chemical analyses of volatiles collected revealed a wide range of carboxylic acids, alcohols, phenols and aldehydes as potential attractant compounds. These newly identified attractants could be used to develop a tool for the attractant‐baited mass trapping of stable flies in order to reduce infestations.     

Forensic insects attracted to human cadavers in a vehicular environment in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Insect fauna attracted to cadavers at the crime scene can be identified and used to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). In the current study, insects associated with two human cadavers in a vehicular environment were collected and analysed. The first cadaver was found five days’ post mortem in a garage. The second cadaver was found in a car ten days after his death. The weather conditions were obtained from the nearest weather station located to the scenes of the death. During the study, six adults, 32 larvae and egg batches were collected from case 1 and identified as Chrysomya albiceps Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae). From the second case, two larvae of Megaselia scalaris Loew (Diptera: Foridae) and seven larvae of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) were identified. mPMI ranged from five to twelve days. This information expands the knowledge on the insect fauna in the vehicular environment, which could be used to assist estimation of the PMI.     

A checklist of arthropods associated with pig carrion and human corpses in southeastern brazil

Necrophagous insects, mainly Diptera and Coleoptera, are attracted to specific stages of carcass decomposition, in a process of faunistic succession. They are very important in estimating the postmortem interval, the time interval between the death and the discovery of the body. In studies done with pig carcasses exposed to natural conditions in an urban forest (Santa Genebra Reservation), located in Campinas, State of S?o Paulo, southeastern Brazil, 4 out of 36 families of insects collected - Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae (Diptera) and Dermestidae (Coleoptera) - were considered of forensic importance, because several species were collected in large numbers both visiting and breeding in pig carcasses. Several species were also observed and collected on human corpses at the Institute of Legal Medicine. The species belonged to 17 different families, 6 being of forensic importance because they were reared from human corpses or pig carcasses: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Piophilidae (Diptera), Dermestidae, Silphidae and Cleridae (Coleoptera). The most important species were: Diptera - Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya putoria, Hemilucilia segmentaria, Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Calliphoridae), Pattonella intermutans (Sarcophagidae), Ophyra chalcogaster (Muscidae), Piophila casei (Piophilidae); Coleoptera - Dermestes maculatus (Dermestidae), Oxyletrum disciolle (Silphidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae).     

Feeding response of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrant L., to blood fractions and adenine nucleotides

Abstract Feeding responses of the stable fly ( Stomoxys calcitrans L., Diptera: Muscidae) to blood fractions and saline-based diets were studied in an artificial feeding device. Flies fed equally on whole blood, plasma and erythrocyte fractions while resuspended platelets or the buffy layer did not stimulate feeding. Evidence from filtration studies indicates that plasma contains both less-than-5000D and greater-than-100,000D phagostimulatory components. ATP, ADP and AMP in saline stimulate feeding in this insect in a dose-dependent manner. cAMP also stimulates feeding in the range of concentrations tested. It is argued that the less-than-5000D phagostimulant may be one or more of these adenine nucleotides.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)

The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), is a cosmopolitan livestock pest that has caused a great negative impact on the animal production sector throughout the world. Here, we describe 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from H. irritans. The number of alleles found ranged from two to eight per locus and the expected heterozygosity from 0.1421 to 0.7702. These loci are potentially useful for the fine-scale genetic characterization of horn fly populations and provide fundamental information for pest management and planning of control programs.     

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

The seasonal changes and the daily activity of Stomoxyine species (Diptera: Muscidae) were examined, using Vavoua traps, in a dairy and a beef cattle farm in Nakhonpathom province, Thailand during July 2004 to June 2005. Over this period, Stomoxys calcitrans was the most commonly trapped species, followed by S. sitiens and S. indica. For the later species, this is the first report of its presence in Thailand. A total of 80 % of flies were captured during the rainy season from May to October and 20 % during the dry season from November to April. No major difference of fly density was observed between the dairy and the beef cattle farm. The activity pattern of S. calcitrans was diurnal with a peak between 08:00 am to 10:00 am and another less marked one in the afternoon. The activity pattern of S. sitiens and S. indica was mainly crepuscular with 2 peaks, early in the morning (06:00 a.m.) and late in the afternoon (6:00 p.m.). Those species are important pests of livestock in Thailand, where they are known as a mechanical vector of trypanosomes. A better knowledge of their ecology is a prerequisite for more efficient control measures.