Control of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, using integrated pest management measures. III. Field techniques and population control.

Abstract

In July 1974 a 3-year feasibility study was initiated on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on the use of the sterile-male technique as a replacement or adjunct to insecticidal or physical measures to control or eliminate the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. Sterile male insects, ca. 1 × 105/day (5 days/wk), were released over the 218 km2 island for 18 months in 1976–1977. Because of the large wild stable fly population, some of the major breeding sites were larvicided at intervals throughout the test. For the last 6 months of the study, better than 99.9% of the wild flies were eliminated; however, a few fertile flies were found throughout the study. These fertile flies either came from isolated breeding sites, had immigrated from other islands, or had been introduced with imported livestock and/or pets.