Stable Fly Phenology in a Mixed Agricultural-Wildlife Ecosystem in Northeast Montana

Friesen, Kristina; Johnson, Gregory D.

doi:10.1603/en12231

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 44 publications

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“…The stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) is a cosmopolitan blood-feeding fly that is distributed globally wherever humans keep domesticated animals [1]. Due to their very painful bites, stable flies influence the behavior, health, productivity, and welfare of cattle [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Fly-defensive behaviors of cattle bitten by stable flies include tail switching, foot stomping, head tossing, skin twitching, and ear flicking [9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions

et al. 2021

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Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-sucking insects commonly associated with cattle production systems worldwide and are known to cause severe irritation to cattle due to painful bites. Cattle react to biting stable flies with an aggregating behavior known as bunching. Bunching behavior reduces grazing or feed consumption and thus reduces cattle productivity and welfare. Cattle’s fly-repelling behaviors include foot stomping, head tossing, tail switching and skin twitching. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2017 on 20 California dairies (average lactating herd size = 2,466 (SE±28.392)) during the stable fly season from April to July. The study objectives were to estimate the association between environmental factors and dairy characteristics including facility design, feed and manure management, total mixed ration (TMR) components fed to cattle, and operational pest management procedures and the outcome stable fly activity on California dairies. Stable fly activity was measured by counting stable flies on cow forelimbs (leg count) and on Alsynite traps (trap count) over the 13-week study period. Weekly leg counts were performed for cattle in lactating cow pens (31 pens from 10 study dairies) with counts made during the morning (AM) and again during the afternoon (PM). Trap counts were performed on all 20 study dairies. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models which revealed temporal variation in the average leg and trap counts with stable fly activity increasing from May to June and then decreasing to the lowest activity in July. Leg counts were higher during the afternoon compared to morning. Ambient temperatures ≤30⁰C and relative humidity (RH) measurements <50% were associated with higher leg and trap counts. Traps located at the periphery of study dairies had higher stable fly counts compared to traps located in the interior of the dairy. Cow pens with trees on the periphery had higher leg counts in comparison to pens away from trees. Specific TMR components were associated with both leg and trap counts. Dairies feeding by-products including almond hulls, wet distillers’ grain, fruits, and vegetables had higher trap counts compared to dairies that did not feed these ingredients. At the pen level, pens with rations that contained straw had lower average leg counts compared to pens fed with rations that did not contain straw. A similar association was observed for pens with rations that contained wheat silage when ambient temperatures were ≤30⁰C. In contrast, pens with water added to the TMR while the RH was ≥50% had higher average leg counts compared to pens without water added to the TMR. Dairies that applied insecticides for fly control to their entire facility had lower trap counts compared to dairies that did not apply insecticides. Stable fly activity measured on California dairies using leg and trap counts varied according to the month, environmental factors, pen surroundings, trap location, TMR components, and insecticide use.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions

et al. 2021

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Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae): Value for Veterinary Medicine. Review

Levchenko

Silivanova

2020

Ross. parazitol. ž..

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The purpose of the research is analysis and compilation of literature data on involvement of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans in the spread of livestock animal pathogens. Materials and methods. We have analyzed literature data from foreign sources over the past 30 years, which are indexed in the PubMed, Crossref, Web of Science and Scopus databases, about S. calcitrans as a potential vector of livestock animal pathogens. Results and discussion. A literature review is presented on assessment of economic impact by the stable fly S. calcitrans on animal husbandry, as well as possible involvement of the S. calcitrans imago in the transmission of viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths which are animal pathogens.

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Stable Fly Phenology in a Mixed Agricultural-Wildlife Ecosystem in Northeast Montana

Cited by 2 publications

References 44 publications

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions

Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae): Value for Veterinary Medicine. Review

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