Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 567-571
J.J. Petersen and J.A. Meyer (1983)
Host preference and seasonal distribution of pteromalid parasites (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) of stable flies and house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) associated with confined livestock in eastern Nebraska
Environmental Entomology 12 (2), 567-571
Abstract: A total of 528 samples totaling 37,639 house fly and 11,447 stable fly pupae were collected from 34 confined bovine feedlots and dairies in eastern Nebraska and examined for pteromalid parasites. Parasitism averaged 14.2% for house flies and 7.9% for stable flies. Levels of parasitism were consistent from feedlot to feedlot but were higher on the dairies. Seven parasite species were identified: Muscidifurax spp. made up 56%, Spalangia cameroni 11%, S. nigroaenea 31%, S. nigra 1%, and others 1% of the 5,881 parasites attacking house flies; Muscidifurax spp. made up 25%, S. cameroni 26%, S. nigroaenea 44%, S. nigra 4%, and others 1% of the 979 parasites attacking stable flies. Muscidifurax spp. were recovered significantly (P = 0.01) more often from house flies, and S. nigra were recovered significantly (P = 0.01) more often from stable flies. Parasite activity was initially observed during the first week in June and increased to a mean of 20.9% during October. The activity and the species of parasites attacking fly pupae were influenced by the habitat in which the hosts were found.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation
population dynamics/epizootiology
