Biocontrol Science and Technology (2015) 25, 697-715

Naworaj Acharya, Rebecca A. Seliga, Edwin G. Rajotte, Nina E. Jenkins and Matthew B. Thomas (2015)
Persistence and efficacy of a Beauveria bassiana biopesticide against the house fly, Musca domestica, on typical structural substrates of poultry houses
Biocontrol Science and Technology 25 (6), 697-715
Abstract: Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, offer potential for use as biopesticides for control of house flies in poultry production facilities. This study evaluates persistence and efficacy of oil-formulated B. bassiana conidia against adult house flies on a range of structural substrates commonly found in poultry houses. Exposure of flies to fungal-treated surfaces produced high levels of infection leading up to 100% mortality in 6–10 days. However, the infectivity of the spray residues declined rapidly within 1 or 2 weeks following repeated fly exposures. Investigations showed that, in the absence of flies, conidia remained viable on test surfaces for up to 3 months regardless of substrate type, application method or fungal production batch. Rather, it was the presence of flies themselves that was responsible for reducing persistence. The exact mechanisms remain unclear but involve a combination of physical removal and chemical deactivation, with decay rates increasing at higher fly densities. While the rapid decay could pose a challenge for operational use, the results suggest it might be possible to tailor treatment frequencies to fly densities with, for example, weekly applications at high fly densities and longer intervals when populations decline. Further research is needed to determine persistence in semifield and field settings and to quantify the influence of fly densities under natural exposure conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Nina E. Jenkins

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Musca domestica
Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen)	Musca domestica