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Field trials of Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in cattle feedlots: a potential biocontrol agent of filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2012

K.D. Floate*
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 4B1
*

Abstract

A field study was performed in southern Alberta, Canada, to assess the native wasp, Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Gahan), as a potential biocontrol agent for house fly, Musca domestica L., and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). The wasp was readily reared in large numbers, which allowed for the cumulative release of an estimated 4.63 million wasps into three commercial feedlots during the 2-year study. Each of several releases predictably and repeatedly enhanced parasitism of sentinel house fly pupae, whereas parasitism remained low in three paired control feedlots where wasps were not released. Releases every 2nd week had a disproportionately greater effect than releases every 2nd month. In 1998, 1.2 million wasps were released into treatment feedlots resulting in the recovery of 3 952 T. sarcophagae from 31 500 sentinel pupae (0.13 wasps/pupa). In 1999, 3.43 million wasps were released into treatment feedlots, with the recovery of 37 763 wasps from 47 720 sentinel pupae (0.79 wasps/pupa). Hence, a 2.8-fold increase in the number of wasps released in 1999 resulted in a 6.1-fold increase in the recovery of wasps. This result supports industry recommendations of regular, repeated releases of wasps every 2nd or 4th week versus one or infrequent releases throughout the summer. There was no evidence that releases augmented overwintering populations of the wasp in subsequent years. These results provide proof-of-concept for the mass-rearing and release of T. sarcophagae as an inundative biocontrol agent for the control of pest flies in cattle confinements. Further studies will be required to assess the effect of T. sarcophagae releases on natural populations of pest flies.

Résumé

Cette étude a été entreprise dans le but d'évaluer en nature le potentiel de la guêpe indigène Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Gahan) comme agent de lutte biologique contre la mouche domestique, Musca domestica (L.), et la mouche des étables, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), dans le sud de l'Alberta. La guêpe s'est révélée facile à garder en élevage en grands nombres, ce qui a permis de relâcher, en plusieurs opérations, un total d'environ 4,63 millions de guêpes dans trois parcs d'engraissement commerciaux au cours d'une étude de 2 ans. Chacun des relâchements favorisait, de façon prévisible et répétée, le parasitisme des pupes de mouches sentinelles, alors que le taux de parasitisme est resté faible dans trois autres parcs appariés où il n'y avait pas eu de relâchement. Des relâchements toutes les 2 semaines ont eu un effet marqué, disproportionné par comparaison à celui de relâchements aux 2 mois. En 1998, 1,2 million de guêpes ont été relâchées dans des parcs d'engraissement expérimentaux, ce qui a donné lieu à une récolte de 3 952 adultes de T. sarcophagae sur 31 500 pupes sentinelles (0,13 guêpe/pupe). En 1999, 3,43 millions de guêpes ont été relâchées et 37 763 ont été recueillies sur 47 720 pupes (0,79 guêpe/pupe). Donc, à la suite de l'augmentation par un facteur de 2,8 du nombre de guêpes relâchées, le nombre de guêpes récupérées a été 6,1 fois plus élevé. Ce résultat confirme la pertinence de la recommandation par l'industrie de procéder à des relâchements répétés et réguliers toutes les 2 ou 4 semaines, plutôt qu'à un seul relâchement ou des relâchements peu fréquents pendant tout l'été. Aucun indice n'a permis de conclure à l'accroissement des populations de guêpes qui survivent à l'hiver au cours des années subséquentes à la suite de ces relâchements en masse. Nos résultats fournissent la justification du concept de l'élevage et du relâchement en masse de T. sarcophagae comme agent de lutte biologique inondative contre les mouches nuisibles dans les parcs à bétail. D'autres études sont nécessaires pour évaluer les effets des relâchements de T. sarcophagae sur les populations naturelles de mouches nuisibles.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2003

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