title: Effects of four commercial fungal formulations on mortality and sporulation in house flies (Musca domestica) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans).
abstract: The house fly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) are major pests of livestock. Biological control is an important tool in an integrated control framework. Increased mortality in filth flies has been documented with entomopathogenic fungi, several strains of which are commercially available. Three strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and one strain of Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were tested in commercial formulations for pathogenicity against house flies and stable flies. There was a significant increase in mortality of house flies with three of the formulations, BotaniGard®ES, Mycotrol®O, and Met52®EC, during days 4-9 in comparison with balEnce™ and the control. In stable flies, mortality rates were highest with Met52®EC, followed by Mycotrol®O, BotaniGard®ES and, finally, balEnce™. There was a significant fungal effect on sporulation in both house flies and stable flies. Product formulation, species differences and fungal strains may be responsible for some of the differences observed. Future testing in field situations is necessary. These commercial biopesticides may represent important tools in integrated fly management programmes.
authors: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.
authors: E N I
authors: EN
authors: Weeks
authors: Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behaviour Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Beltsville, MD, U.S.A.
authors: E T
authors: ET
authors: Machtinger
authors: School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Gezan
authors: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Kaufman
authors: Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Geden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052982:Beauveria / Q000502:physiology*; D006793:Houseflies / Q000382:microbiology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D052981:Metarhizium / Q000502:physiology*; D009117:Muscidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological
keywords: Beauveria bassiana; Metarhizium anisopliae; Metarhizium brunneum; biological control; entomopathogenic; organic