Possible uses of parasitoids and entomopathogenic nematode for the control of house fly (Musca domestica) in cattle farm.

Abstract

The efficiency of 3 house fly parasitoids: Spalangia gemina, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae and Exoristobia philppinensis; and entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) for house flies were studied. The parasitism of S. gemina, P. vindemiae and E. philppinensis were observed when they were exposed to a host at densities of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30. The results showed that P. vindemiae had higher parasitism when increasing the density of house fly pupae. The rates of parasitism were 0.75, 3.75, 6.5, 7.25 and 10.25, respectively; whereas the parasitism of S. gemina and E. philppinensis was highest when 20 house fly pupae were provided. The maximum parasitisation is 16 house fly pupae per day for S.gemina and 4.4 house fly pupae per day for E.philippinensis. The parasitisation is not over the maximum regardless of increases in the number of house fly pupae. The appropriate concentration of nematodes was determined by spraying nematodes at 250, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 into 23.75 m2 a Petri dish with 5 house fly larvae in 15 g cattle manure for 5 replications. The results showed that the concentration of 250-1,500 nematodes could control house fly larvae 96-100% within 48 h. The suitable frequency of nematode spraying was determined by spraying 50,000 nematodes into a quadrate of 1 m2 with frequencies of 4 times/week, 2 times/week and once a week at a dairy stall at Khon Kaen University. The results showed that the nematode application with the frequency of 4 times/week was the most effective in reducing house fly larvae (63.64%) in the cattle farm. The data of pupa parasitoids’ and nematodes’ efficiency are the basic knowledge for choosing the right species and the right amount of these agents for house fly control in the future.