R. S. Patterson

Use of irradiated pupae to mass culture the microhymenopterous pupal parasitoid Spalangia endius Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). I. Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

A technique using 50 kR gamma irradiation on 2-day-old Musca domestica L. pupae was developed to allow for up to 8 weeks of storage at 4.4 ± 0.5°C and 70 ± 5% RH. These pupae can be used to supplem...

Host-location kairomone fromPeriplaneta americana (L.) for parasitoidAprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg)

Chemically mediated host location in the eulophid parasitoidAprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) was investigated. In Y-tube bioassays 77.6% of female parasitoids responded to aPeriplaneta americana (L.) ootheca; parasitoids did not respond to air with no volatile stimuli. Frass from adult cockroaches was as attractive as an ootheca. Bioassay of one ootheca equivalent of five lipid fractions (eluted with hexane and 1, 5, 10, and 30% ether in hexane) from silica gel column chromatography indicated that the active component was a hydrocarbon. Further separation and bioassay of oothecal hydrocarbons by AgNO3-impregnated silica gel column chromatography indicated that the biological activity was in one fraction. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of this fraction revealed a single peak; this peak was identified by researchers in 1963, 1969, and 1972 as (Z,Z)-6,9-heptacosadiene. Qualitative and quantitative GC analyses of total hydrocarbons from oothecae, frass, and adult females were essentially identical; 6,9-heptacosadiene was the dominant hydrocarbon from each source. The alkadiene was 37 times more abundant in frass than on the ootheca. The volatilization of the alkadiene from oothecae was demonstrated by aeration and trapping on Super Q adsorbent. The current study is the first evidence for biological activity of (Z,Z)-6,9-heptacosadiene, a major hydrocarbon component on adult female American cockroaches, on their oothecae, and in their frass.

Life history of Trichopria stomoxydis (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea: Diapriidae) a gregarious endoparasite of Stomoxys calcitrans from Zimbabwe, Africa.

A gregarious species of Trichopria stomoxydis Huggert, (Hymenoptera: Prototrupoidae: Diapriidae) collected near Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa, and host-specific for Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) was studied. It was endoparasitic, using the body of the host as a cocoon within the puparium. Males emerged first, and mating occurred as soon as the females emerged. Females preferred pupae <24 h old, but would parasitize 1-, 2- and 3-day-old pupae. Oviposition time was 30-45 min, with one oviposition wound per host. Immature development was 13-18 (X 15) days, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 1:3, and a growth rate of 7.9 fold. Each pupa was capable of producing 6-20 (X 11.5) females. The daily survival rate of adult females was 0.3419.

Effect of Gamma Rays and/or Fluorescent Pigments on Sterility and Survival of the Stable Fly

Comparative studies on the relative effectiveness of two ^6^0Co irradiators differing only in dose rate showed that both were equally effective in producing sterility in the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Survival was superior, however, in those flies irradiated with the higher dose rate unit. Marking with fluorescent pigments produced an increase in daily mortalities regardless of whether or not the flies had been irradiated.

Manure Management as a Means of Controlling Filth Flies at Agricultural Installations

A survey of house flies and parasitoids was conducted at three poultry installations which practiced different types of manure management in Georgia and Florida. This study demonstrated that parasitoid production and filth fly control at the installation that practiced manure management was equal to the control that was obtained at an environmental house as well as the control that was achieved at an installation that had been modified to scrape and flush the poultry manure.