Bio-efficacy of an organophosphorous bait (Snip®) against wild populations of synanthropic flies <i>Musca domestica</i> and <i>Lucilia</i> species

Abstract

The common housefly, Musca domestica and the green-bottle fly Lucilia species are Diptera belonging to the Suborder Cyclorrapha. The former species is associated with mechanical transmission of certain diarrhoeal diseases such as dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera, which afflict man. Other important diseases include, anthrax, eye infections and bovine mastitis. It is the manner in which M. domestica exudes a “vomit-drop” to sugar, dried blood, pus, excreta, sputum and other substances that makes it an efficient vector of human diseases. Bacteria may also adhere to the hairy body of the fly and to the hairy puvilli on the feet. Lucilia sp. is mostly associated with diseases of livestock such as sheep and fowls. This species causes myiasis of sheep called “strike”, which results in larval development in the skin. Usually, environmental sanitation involving elimination of fly breeding sites by proper disposal of refuse, manure, compost, human excreta and other waste is the fundamental measure for fly control. However, there are instances where control has to be supplemented with insecticides. Among the most commonly used insecticidal methods of control is the use of baits. These are placed or applied to surfaces where adult flies congregate to feed. This control measure takes advantage of the fly's mechanism of feeding. This paper discusses findings of an experiment designed to test attractiveness and bio-efficacy of an organophosphate-based bait against M. domestica and Lucilia species. Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol.6(2) 2004: 69-72