Comparison of Host-Seeking Behavior of the Filth Fly Pupal Parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract

The pupal parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni Perkins and Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Sanders, can be purchased for biological control of house flies Musca domestica L. and stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). Little is known about the odors involved in host-seeking behavior of these two species, so odors associated with house flies were investigated in the laboratory using a Y-tube olfactometer. Odor stimuli from house fly host puparia, larvae, pine-shavings bedding with horse manure, and developing flies in the pine-shavings-manure substrate were evaluated in bioassays using the two pteromalid species. In choice tests, naïve female S. cameroni were strongly attracted to odor from the substrate containing house fly larvae and secondarily from the uninfested substrate and substrate with puparia versus humidified and purified air. This species also selected the substrate with larvae versus the substrate with the house fly puparia or uninfested substrate. Muscidifurax raptor was attracted to odor from the substrate containing puparia, washed puparia, and substrate with puparia removed. The data suggest that coexistence between the two pteromalid parasitoids, S. cameroni and M. raptor, might be promoted by different host-seeking behavior.

Linear Dispersal of the Filth Fly Parasitoid Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Parasitism of Hosts at Increasing Distances

“…Parasitoids use volatiles, e.g. kairomones [42], emitted from fungi and bacteria in habitats [43] and from different host development stages [44] to locate suitable hosts. Maximum dispersal distance may extend past the observed 60 m and host parasitism by S .…”

Manure Preferences and Postemergence Learning of Two Filth Fly Parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

“…Equine manure, collected from a private facility in High Springs, FL, and bovine manure, collected from a dairy in Bell, FL, were used for comparisons as described in Machtinger et al [17]. Briefly, equine manure from a mare and two geldings, and bovine manure from a pen containing 3-month-old bull calves, was collected.…”

“…Thawed manure was placed in a 265 cm 3 (16 oz) plastic fly rearing cup measuring 6-cm-h x 7.5-cm-diam. Equine manure was hydrated to 70% by weight [17], and mixed thoroughly. Because of previously established preferences of S .…”

“…Pteromalid parasitoid responses to chemical stimuli vary with species. Some parasitoid species are attracted to host habitat [13], but are more attracted to a combination of hosts and habitat [14–17]. Other species seem to use cues directly from the hosts, with host habitat alone being somewhat repellent [18–19].…”

“…and Muscidifurax spp. differ in attraction to both host life stage [17], and manure type [19]. It is unknown whether postemergence exposure may change these innate odor preferences.…”