Using Parasitoids in an Integrated Pest Management Approach to Control Flies on Dairy Farms

Using Parasitoids in an Integrated Pest Management Approach to Control Flies on Dairy Farms

Summary

The overall purpose of this project is to develop a biologically based IPM program to manage house and stable flies on small and medium sized dairies. Studies during 2005 delineated the species composition and seasonal occurrence of naturally occurring parasitoid wasps on Arkansas, Mississippi and North Carolina dairies. Parasitoids of both house and stable flies and prevent parasitized fly pupae from emerging as adult flies. The project involves other IPM techniques such as manure management and judicious use of insecticides that are compatible with natural enemies such as pteromalid wasps.

The parasitoid species composition data gathered from 2005 will be used to determine both release rates and timing of commercially available pteromalid wasps during the 2006 fly season. The overall IPM concept will be incorporated with commercial wasp releases. These IPM techniques include population monitoring of fly pest species, establishment and use of treatment thresholds, limited use of insecticides that are compatible with natural enemies and effective manure and waste management. Outreach components of the project will be conducted during the later stages of the project when firm release rate recommendations become available.

During 2005 sentinel house fly pupae and naturally occurring house and stable fly pupae were placed and/or collected from cooperating dairies selected in 2004 (Arkansas (4 dairies), Mississippi (2 dairies) and North Carolina (6 dairies)). Initial data indicates 11 naturally occurring species of parasitoids in the family Pteromalidae, 1 species in the family Chalcidae and 1 species in the family Ichneumonidae. In addition the percentage of sentinel house fly pupae parasitized ranged from 0.9 to 5.7% for Arkansas dairies and 6.5 to 19.6% for Mississippi dairies. The percentage of naturally occurring pupae parasitized ranged from 4.4 to16.3% for Arkansas dairies and 2.9 to 9.4% for Mississippi dairies. Parasitoid species composition data from North Carolina dairies is still be analyzed at this time.

Studies comparing percentage parasitism for three parasite release rates were initiated in 2005 in North Carolina dairies. Preliminary data indicated that percentage parasitism is increased in sentinel pupae as a result of releases. However, more data analysis is required.

Principal investigators from Mississippi, North Carolina and Arkansas communicate frequently through telephone and email in addition to yearly meetings. This years meeting is scheduled for April 20 as a video conference. Two additional focus team meetings have taken place after the filing of last year’s meeting. One more focus team meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2006.

The following species of parasitoids were identified from sentinel pupae in Arkansas and Mississippi.:

Muscidifurax zaraptor
Dirhinus texanus
Phygadeuon fumator
M. raptor
M. raptorellus
Trichomalopsis spp.
Urolepis rufipes
Nasonia vitripennis
S.cameroni
S. endius
S. nigra
Pachycrepoides vindeniae

The following species of parasitoids were identified from natural occurring (Musca domestica, Stomoxys calcitrans and calliphorid) pupae in Arkansas and Mississippi:

Muscidifurax zaraptor
Phygadeuon fumator
M. raptor
Spalangia cameroni
S. drosophilae
S. endius
S. nigroaenea
Trichomalopsis sarcophagae

As of April 6, 2006, the pupae from the four farms in North Carolina are still being examined for parasitism.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The major research objective for 2005 was to determine the species composition and abundance of native parasitoids in Arkansas, Mississippi and North Carolina dairies. Study locations selected in 2004 were used during the 2005 fly season to collect data on native parasites. Baseline data collected in 2005 is being used to determine release rates and timing for 2006 studies. Also, in 2006 dairies not receiving commercial parasites will be evaluated for natural parasitism to serve as control and build upon 2005 data.

Another objective initiated in 2004 and expanded in 2005 was the formation of focus teams to assist in development of outreach. Two teams of entomology and animal science specialists, county agriculture agents and dairy producers have been formed in the two major milk producing areas of Arkansas. These teams have met and provided valuable insight into the most promising venue to reach dairy producers. They have also provided feedback related to IPM concerns (insecticide resistance in horn flies, insecticide labeling issues, and sanitation).

Accomplishments/Milestones

Baseline data on the species composition and abundance of naturally occurring parasitoids was collected during the 2005 fly season. This data provided unknown and valuable information that will help provide recommendations concerning fly IPM for southern dairies. This data is essential in determining initial parasitoid release rates and timing for IPM studies for the 2006 fly season.

The following species of parasitoids were identified from sentinel pupae in Arkansas and Mississippi.:

Muscidifurax zaraptor

Dirhinus texanus
Phygadeuon fumator
M. raptor
M. raptorellus
Trichomalopsis spp.
Urolepis rufipes
Nasonia vitripennis
S.cameroni
S. endius
S. nigra
Pachycrepoides vindeniae

The following species of parasitoids were identified from natural occurring (Musca domestica, Stomoxys calcitrans and calliphorid) pupae in Arkansas and Mississippi:

Muscidifurax zaraptor
Phygadeuon fumator
M. raptor
Spalangia cameroni
S. drosophilae
S. endius
S. nigroaenea
Trichomalopsis sarcophagae

As of April 6, 2006, the pupae from the four farms in North Carolina are still being examined for parasitism.

Two focus teams consisting of entomology and animal science specialists, county agriculture agents and dairy producers have been formed in the two major milk producing areas of Arkansas. These teams have met and are provided valuable insight into the most promising venue to reach dairy producers. Their input and feedback will be valuable in conducting the major dairy/IPM outreach component of the study scheduled for the remaining two years of the project.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Preliminary results from this project as well as general dairy IPM recommendations have been presented in numerous venues during 2005 and 2006 (2 Reg. 5 dairy meeting, agent in-service training, focus team meetings and the yearly dairy field day). Additional presentations will be made during the remainder of 2006.

Also an interest in dairy/fly IPM using parasitoids has increased as a result of local interest in organic milk production. In a recent (April 2006) meeting, producers attending these organic production meeting have been informed of this project and have expressed interest in using IPM and parasitoids as a means of reducing pesticide usage to comply with the organic production guidelines.

Preliminary data from 2005 have shown producers the importance of sanitation in any fly management program. Focus team members were shown that house fly numbers from sticky ribbons were as much as 10 times higher on farms that had an abundance of fly breeding material. This helped illustrate that sanitation is the most important component in managing house flies in animal or milk production systems and that any management system used must incorporate sound sanitation practices.

Finally as a result of farm visits in support of this project, one producer has become aware of insecticide resistance in horn flies. Out of necessity this producer is working with specialists and county agents to develop a horn fly management program to reduce reliance on one or a few insecticides and incorporate non-chemical control into has program. Although horn flies are not the focus of this project, this issue has given both the producer and the county agent an appreciation into the complex nature of pests, insecticide resistance and need for IPM.

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