Integrating predatory mites and pupal parasitoids for biological control of house fly (Musca domestica)

Abstract

Importance of the work: Combining beneficial organisms provides strong biocontrol of house flies, highlighting the potential of integrated pest management in livestock farming. Objectives: To evaluate and propose the biocontrol of filth flies when they are resistant to all available insecticides. Materials and Methods: The efficiency was checked of the parasitoids alone, predatory mites alone and both at the same time, to control the emergence of house flies from 1,000 eggs compared to a control, in a laboratory-controlled experiment. Results: The use of predatory mites (Macrocheles muscaedomesticae) in addition to parasitoids (Spalangia cameroni and Muscudifurax raptorellus) was more efficient than using only parasitoids. Main finding: The benefit was demonstrated of combining predatory mites targeting the egg and larval stages of house flies, with pupal parasitoid wasps. These findings support the potential of this biological control strategy and indicate that it merits further evaluation under field conditions in livestock farming systems for the management of house flies and stable flies.