Abstract
During 1992, adult stable fly populations were sampled in 25 Kansas feedlots. A native stable fly parasitic wasp, Spalangia nigroaenea, was released in 19 of these feedlots. Stable fly populations were reduced up to 48% and parasite emergence was increased 21% when compared with feedlots where S. nigroaenea was not released. The percentage of total parasites that were S. nigroaenea nearly doubled in the release feedlots, compared to the nonrelease feedlots. This parasitic wasp has shown considerable promise for stable fly control in cattle feedlots. Overall, sampling and parasite costs averaged 32 cents per animal for the season.
Highlights
Certain species of wasps lay their eggs in fly pupae
During 1992, adult stable fly populations were sampled in 25 Kansas feedlots
Stable fly populations were reduced up to 48% and parasite emergence was increased 21% when compared with feedlots where S. nigroaenea was not released
Summary
That kills the fly pupae and allows reproduction of the parasitic wasps The use of these fly parasites to reduce stable flies in cattle feedlots has been a common practice in Kansas. How beneficial are these parasitic wasp releases? The number of stable flies was reduced, whereas the percentage of fly pupae producing parasites increased. With those promising results, a large-scale demonstration-research project was conducted in 1992. The 1992 results for fly reduction, parasite increase, and the economics of parasite release and sampling are presented
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