Adult Resting and Larval Developmental Sites of Stable Flies and House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on Dairies in Alberta

Abstract

Adult resting sites and larval developmental sites were determined for the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house fly, Musca domestica (L.), at three dairies in southern Alberta during the summers of 1990 and 1991. Adult stable flies were present throughout each dairy but showed a tendency to rest outdoors on east- and south-facing surfaces of barns and fences, as well as along feed aprons. House fly adults tended to rest indoors. Stable fly larvae were most abundant in manure mounds, general lots, and indoors and were also abundant in silage mounds and spilled silage. Fences, feed aprons, and lagoons had fewer stable fly larvae. House fly larvae were most abundant in silage mounds, followed by indoors and general lots. Peaks of stable fly capture on resting sites occurred in late August and mid-September and were preceded by increases in the number of stable fly larvae per sample in mid-August and early September. Peak house fly captures occurred in August and early September, and larval populations peaked in early to mid-August. Residual pesticides for controlling adult stable flies should be applied early to mid-August and priority given to east- and south-facing surfaces and barns. Applications for house fly control should begin in early July and can be made primarily indoors. Sanitation should be applied before July, and attention should be paid to the manure mounds, general lots, and indoors.