Richard L. Fye

Evaluation of (Z)-9-Tricosene for Attractancy for Musca Domestica in the Field

The house fly pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene (muscalure), was evaluated against Musca domestica L. at dosages of 125, 25, 5, and 1 mg in combination with sugar fly bait containing trichlorfon. The highest dosage tested (125 mg) was the most attractive to both males and females in a natural population at a swine farm in northern Florida. Significant differences occurred between dosages, each being less effective as the dosage decreased. The 5-mg dose was field tested at heights of 1, 3, and 5 ft above the ground. The largest number was captured at the 1-ft level, but the degree of attraction was relatively small. No significant difference was apparent in the numbers of males and females captured. The response of released adults from a genetically engineered male-producing strain was greater than the response of released adults.

A survey of northwest Florida for potential stable fly breeding.

A survey was made in 15 counties of Northwest Florida and 10 bordering counties in Georgia and Alabama for potential breeding sites of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Most of the sites found that were capable of breeding tremendous numbers of flies were located at dairies and feedlots, but some were at beef ranches, horse farms, and swine and poultry installations. All of these potential breeding sites were located within 70 miles of the Gulf coast beach resorts, which are within the flight range of the stable fly.

EFFECT ON HOUSE FLIES OF EXPOSURE TO RESIDUAL APPLICATIONS OF CHEMOSTERILANTS

Sexual sterilization by chemicals as a means for the reduction or eradication of an insect species has been suggested by Knipling (1959, 1960) and Lindquist (1961 a, b). Initial field experiments, conducted in Florida, demonstrated that marked reductions in populations of house flies (Musca domestica L.) could be achieved with a bait containing a chemosterilant (LaBrecque et al., 1962). Although the results with baits showed promise for this method of application, additional methods of presenting the chemosterilants to the insects would greatly improve the versatility of the sterilization technique. Investigations were therefore made to determine the effectiveness of residual applications of apholate, tepa, 5-fluoroorotic acid, and metepa in producing sterility in house flies.