Identification of chemical attractants for stomoxys calcitrans (diptera: muscidae) control and monitoring purposes

Abstract

Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae) also known as stable flies are considered to be a major livestock pest worldwide causing great financial loss within meat and dairy production. In recent years, stable flies have been associated with crop and have therefore become of importance in the agroecosystem. Throughout this study two major aspects: host-seeking behavior and attraction to agricultural crop in particularly sugarcane mills were investigated. Primary results involving host-seeking behavior demonstrated that female Stomoxys calcitrans are significantly attracted to emitted host volatile organic compounds and oviposition stimulants associated to their environment including manure and grass infusion. Electrophysiological studies confirmed various compounds of the collected volatile samples that elicited an electrophysiological response. Chemical analyses of electrophysiological active samples identified a wide range of compounds including, aliphatic alcohols, phenols, and ketones. Most of the identified compounds have not previously been associated with stable flies thus providing novel chemical compounds that could be used as lures for trapping enhancement. Electrophysiologically active compounds differed between equines and cattle and their respective manure suggesting that the attraction of stable flies to these two hosts could be of two different chemical stimulant profiles. Secondary results involving the attraction and recent outbreaks of stable flies in sugarcane mills revealed through behavioral studies that the sugarcane based fertilizer vinasse, attracts both mated and unmated female flies. Field studies demonstrated that vinasse baited traps caught six times more stable flies than non-baited traps. Electrophysiological and chemical analyses of collected volatile organic samples identified a wide range of possible chemical attractants responsible for the severe outbreaks of stable flies in sugarcane mills