Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) outbreaks: current situation and future outlook with emphasis on Brazil

Abstract

The stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) has historically been a pest of dairy cattle and feedlots due to the availability of decaying plant matter mixed with animal excrements in such production systems. In the last few decades, stable fly outbreaks have also been reported in pasture-raised beef cattle, usually associated with wastes accumulated from animal feeding during winter, the introduction of large-scale crop operations near cattle ranches, and/or the inadvertent use of organic fertilizers. Population explosions of Stomoxys flies may also have natural causes, affecting not only domestic and/or wild animals but also humans. This article compiles information on stable fly outbreaks in Brazil and abroad and discusses their causes and consequences.Keywords: Stable fly, cattle ectoparasites, bloodsucking flies. ResumoA mosca-dos-estábulos (Stomoxys calcitrans) tem sido historicamente uma praga em gado de leite e gado de corte em confinamento devido à disponibilidade de matéria orgânica vegetal em decomposição, misturada a dejetos animais, nestes sistemas de produção. Nas últimas décadas, surtos de infestação por esta mosca passaram a ocorrer também em rebanhos de corte mantidos extensivamente, geralmente associados ao acúmulo de resíduos de suplementação alimentar durante o inverno, introdução de culturas agrícolas em larga escala no entorno de propriedades pecuárias e/ou uso inadvertido de fertilizantes orgânicos. Eventualmente, explosões populacionais de Stomoxys podem ter causas naturais, afetando animais domésticos e/ou selvagens, além do próprio homem. Este artigo reúne informações sobre surtos da mosca-dos-estábulos no Brasil e em outros países e discute suas causas e consequências.Palavras-chave: Mosca-dos-estábulos, ectoparasitos de bovinos, moscas hematófagas.

Potential of Macrocheles species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) as control agents of harmful flies (Diptera) and biology of Macrocheles embersoni Azevedo, Castilho and Berto on Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) and Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

“…In Brazil, its importance has increased tremendously in recent years, especially in the central and southeastern states, in parallel with the increased field applications of vinasse, a byproduct of the alcohol and sugar industries, in sugarcane crops. The mixture of vinasse with sugarcane fallen sugarcane leaves constitutes a substrate for the development of immature stable flies (Cançado et al, 2013;Dominghetti et al, 2015).…”

Spatial repellency, antifeedant activity and toxicity of three medium chain fatty acids and their methyl esters of coconut fatty acid against stable flies

“…The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is considered one of the most serious biting fly pests of bovids and equines in livestock feedlot, barns and pasture settings . In the last decade, outbreaks of stable flies resulting from flies developing in decomposing crop residues have been reported worldwide, with particularly large outbreaks reported from Australia, and Central and South America . In addition to livestock, stable flies also attack wildlife, companion animals and humans.…”

“…1 In the last decade, outbreaks of stable flies resulting from flies developing in decomposing crop residues have been reported worldwide, with particularly large outbreaks reported from Australia, and Central and South America. [2][3][4][5][6][7] In addition to livestock, stable flies also attack wildlife, companion animals and humans.…”

Resistance of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), to cypermethrin in outbreak areas in Midwestern Brazil

“…Over the last decade, outbreaks of the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) resulting from its large-scale proliferation in organic wastes and byproducts from ethanol production at sugarcane mills (CORRÊA et al, 2013) have become an unprecedented problem, causing significant socioeconomic impacts in several municipalities of southeastern and Midwestern Brazil (DOMINGHETTI et al, 2015). In addition to the economic losses resulting from such outbreaks, this pest has resulted in yearly losses of up to US$ 335 million in Brazilian livestock (GRISI et al, 2014).…”