Visual responses of Musca domestica to pheromone impregnated targets in poultry units

Abstract

Field trials investigating the effect of visual cues on catches of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) at toxic targets impregnated with the female sex pheromone (Z)-9-tricosene, were conducted in a caged-layer deep-pit poultry unit in southern England. Targets treated with azamethiphos and baited with 2.5 g of 40% (Z)-9-tricosene impregnated beads caught significantly greater numbers of M. domestica than control targets. The greater attractiveness of the pheromone impregnated targets persisted for at least 5 weeks. The addition of longitudinal black stripes, or a regularly spaced pattern of black spots, to the white targets had no effect on catch rates. However, a pattern of clustered black spots, designed to imitate groups of feeding M. domestica, significantly increased target catches; this effect was particularly pronounced in the targets impregnated with (Z)-9-tricosene. Trials comparing the attractiveness of white and fluorescent yellow pheromone-treated targets under two different lighting regimes indicated that M. domestica does not have a significant preference for either colour. The implications of these results in relation to the control of M. domestica populations in poultry units are discussed.

Evaluation of (Z)‐9‐tricosene baited targets for control of the housefly (Musca domestica) in outdoor situations

“…The response of newly emerged flies to ( Z )‐9‐tricosene is not a strong as that shown by older individuals ( Silhacek et al., 1972). Finally, the more rapid decline in efficacy that we observed compared to Chapman et al. (1998a,b, 1999) may simply be because of exposure to the elements removing the active ingredients from the targets in outdoor situations.…”

“…Moreover, mobile houseflies are more highly concentrated in and around animal rearing units than they are on landfill, and it is not surprising that in these situations tricosene‐impregnated traps are effective at attracting large numbers of flies. More recently a series of field trials in closed poultry units reported variable catches of 70–200 houseflies per day ( Chapman et al., 1998a,b, 1999), underscoring the high density of fly populations in animal units and the efficiency of lure‐and‐kill traps in enclosed conditions. Chapman et al's targets also continued to attract flies for up to 3 months.…”

“…White targets have been shown to be more attractive to houseflies than other colours tested ( Mitchell et al., 1975). A toxic bait mixture was prepared by mixing 1 kg of the insecticide azamethiphos (Alfacron 10% active ingredient; Ciba‐Geigy, UK), with 2 Kg of granulated sugar, and 400 ml of water to form a thick paste ( Chapman et al., 1999). The toxic bait mixture was then subdivided into three 750 ml aliquots, ready to receive one of three pheromone treatments.…”

Combination of Phagostimulant and Visual Lure as an Effective Tool in Designing House Fly Toxic Baits: A Laboratory Evaluation

“…This predisposition of house flies to seek sugar sources for their survival presents an opportunity to use sugar in toxic baits. For this reason, sugar along with toxicant, water and/or other attractant, in many other studies, has been an essential component in making toxic baits successful [6,10-13]. …”

“…Yellow, for example, was found to be most attractive to house flies when used in jug traps [18]. In another study, black was found to be the most attractive to house flies [13], however, Geden [14] reported that blue fabric targets were more attractive to house flies than black targets. Although colors have been used in making traps attractive, studies on the use of colors, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, are rare in making toxic baits attractive to house flies particularly in Pakistan.…”