Stomoxys Calcitrans Research Articles

Detection of pathogens of veterinary importance harboured by Stomoxys calcitrans in South African feedlots

Stable flies are blood feeding ectoparasites of economic, veterinary and medical importance. There is scarcity of data on pathogens harboured by stable flies occurring in South African feedlots. Hence, in this study we documented stable flies occurring in three selected South African feedlots and carried out a PCR based detection for the presence of DNA of A. marginale, Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia spp. The flies were captured with vavoua traps, identified morphologically as Stomoxys calcitrans which was also supported by amplification and sequencing of both 16S rRNA and COI genes which matched with relevant species on the NCBI database. A total of 53 fly pools were used for the detection of pathogen DNA. PCR showed the presence of DNA of Anaplasma marginale (22.64%, 12/53) and LSDV (15.08%; 8/53). Neither Rickettsia nor Ehrlichia spp. DNA were detected from all the sampled feedlots. In conclusion, results obtained from this study showed that S. calcitrans in feedlots is harbouring A. marginale and LSDV which suggests that they may be involved in their mechanical transmission to livestock.

Fly species on cows around the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia and their role as zoonotic disease vectors

Abstract. Nangoy M, Sondakh E, Koneri R, Hadi UK.2021. Fly species on cows around the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia and their role as disease vectors. Biodiversitas 23: 631-636. Climate and land-use changes in additional to livestock rearing systems play a role in the distribution, species, and population of fly pests, which may pose a risk to humans and animal health. The rearing and grazing of cows at the forest edge and in coconut plantations provide an ideal medium for the growth and development of flies. This study aimed to identify the diversity and abundance of fly species found on cows grazing in two habitat types: forest edge habitat and coconut plantation,located at the Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study was conducted from April 2021 to June 2021 using 24 Ongole Crossbred cows including three adult males and three adult females (250-300 kg) and three males and three female calves (60-75 kg) in each habitat. Flies were collected using two fly nets that were swung along the cows in each habitat type with ten swings. The flies collected were identified based on morphology. A total of 6,982 flies were collected and identified to the following taxonomic groups: Muscidae family (Haematobia exigua 91.21%, Stomoxys calcitrans 1.65%, Musca crassirostris 0.67%, S. indicus 0.54%, S. sitiens 0.42%, and Musca domestica 0.11%), and Tabanidae family (Tabanus factiosus 4.91%, Tabanus striatus 0.47%, and Chrisops sp. 0.01%). The abundance of Haematobia exigua in the coconut plantation habitat was higher than in the forest edges, while the number of T. factiosus at the forest edges was higher than in the coconut plantations. Our results confirm that the presence of a variety of fly species and their abundance depends part on the grazing habitat of the cows. Further study of fly species diversity and pathogen status is critical to provide epidemiological data needed to develop control strategies to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

Stomoxys calcitrans

This datasheet on Stomoxys calcitrans covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Impacts, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

A New Trap to Control Stable and Black Flies, 2022

A New Trap to Control Stable and Black Flies, 2022

Fluctuation numbers of stable fly attacking to reindeer and incidence of grooming activities of reindeer reared in a zoo after flumethrin 1% formulation treatment

Fluctuation numbers of stable fly attacking to reindeer and incidence of grooming activities of reindeer reared in a zoo after flumethrin 1% formulation treatment

Odorant-binding protein from the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) has a high-histidine N-terminal extension that binds transition metals

The role of odorant- and pheromone-binding proteins (OBPs) in olfactory function is not fully understood. We found an OBP sequence from the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, ScalOBP60, that has a 25 amino acid N-terminal extension with a high content of histidine and acidic amino acids, suggesting a possible metal binding activity. A search of public databases revealed a large number of other fly OBPs with histidine-rich N-terminal extensions, as well as beetle, wasp and ant OBPs with histidine-rich C-terminal extensions. We recombinantly expressed ScalOBP60, as well as a truncated sequence which lacks the histidine-rich N-terminal region, tScalOBP60. Using fluorescence quenching and electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF), we detected two different types of metal-binding sites. Divalent copper, nickel and zinc bind to the N-terminal histidine-rich region, and divalent copper binds to an internal sequence position. Comparison of the ESI-QTOF spectra of ScalOBP60 and tScalOBP60 showed that the histidine-rich sequence is structurally disordered, but it becomes more ordered in the presence of divalent metal. When copper is bound to the internal site, binding of a hydrophobic ligand to ScalOBP60 is inhibited. The internal and N-terminal metal sites interact allosterically, possibly through a conformational equilibrium, suggesting a mechanism for metal regulation of ligand binding to ScalOBP60. Based on our studies of ScalOBP60, we propose several possible olfactory and non-olfactory functions for this OBP.

Efficacy of the transfluthrin-based personal insect repellent kit (PIRK) against the ixodid ticks Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis

An assay series was performed to assess the contact and spatial efficacy of the Personal Insect Repellent Kit (PIRK) against three species of ixodid ticks. The PIRK, a portable, passive device comprised of an inert physical substrate incorporated with the active ingredient (AI) transfluthrin (TF), has demonstrated spatial efficacy against flying insects, including three species of mosquitoes, sand flies and stable flies. The device is the only TF end-use product registered with the EPA. Here we report the first studies to explore potential of the PIRK to control Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis. Dose-response assays confirmed toxicity of TF to larvae of all species in the μg/ml range following a 30-min exposure period. Nymphs and adults exhibited irritancy and avoidance behaviors on contact with the PIRK. Greater than 90% knockdown (KD) of I. scapularis nymphs and adults was observed after a 10-s exposure, and of A. americanum nymphs and adults after 10-s and 120-s exposure, respectively. Additionally, greater than 90% mortality was observed in I. scapularis nymphs and adults after 10-s and 40-s exposure, respectively. In spatial assays, the PIRK caused KD and post-exposure mortality of adult female I. scapularis exposed at a range of 5–28 cm. These results suggest both contact and spatial capacity of the PIRK, with greatest potency to nymphs versus adults and the prostriate tick I. scapularis versus the metastriate species A. americanum and D. variabilis. Future studies will explore spatial activity at a range of distances and exposure times, in the presence and absence of host cues and under semi-field conditions.

Evaluation of the Toxic Effects of Novaluron on Muscina stabulans (Fallen) (Diptera: Muscidae).

The worldwide fly species, Muscina stabulans (Diptera: Muscidae) is known as 'false stable fly'. It has veterinary, forensic and medical importance. The present study aimed to examine the toxicity of novaluron (chitin synthesis inhibitor) via its effect on the growth and reproductive potential of M. stabulans. The early last (3rd) instar larvae and prepupae have been treated with novaluron using five doses: 5.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.01 μg/larva. Student's t-test analysis has been used for data processing as well as refined by Bessel correction for significant differences among means. Current study revealed that, after the treatment different mortalities of larva, pupa and adult have been estimated. LD50 values of novaluron were 0.018 and 0.057 μg/insect, respectively. Furthermore, the larval period was insignificantly shortened while the pupal duration has been significantly extended and the developmental rate has been slightly enhanced. On the other hand, the adult longevity of females was considerably reduced and the adult emergence was considerably blocked, regardless the dose. However, only after the treatment, some deformed pupae were observed and some adult deformities were observed. Both fecundity and fertility were drastically reduced and sterilizing activity on novaluron increased in a dose-dependent course, regardless the time of treatment. Novaluron can be used as an effective IGR in the integrated control program for this medically and veterinary serious fly.

VectorBase.org updates: bioinformatic resources for invertebrate vectors of human pathogens and related organisms.

VectorBase (VectorBase.org) is part of the VEuPathDB Bioinformatics Resource Center, providing free online access to multi-omics and population biology data, focusing on arthropod vectors and invertebrates of importance to human health. VectorBase includes genomics and functional genomics data from bed bugs, biting midges, body lice, kissing bugs, mites, mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks, tsetse flies, stable flies, house flies, fruit flies, and a snail intermediate host. Tools include the Search Strategy system and MapVEu, enabling users to interrogate and visualize diverse ‘omics and population-level data using a graphical interface (no programming experience required). Users can also analyze their own private data, such as transcriptomic sequences, exploring their results in the context of other publicly-available information in the database. Help Desk: help@vectorbase.org.

Semi-field evaluation of the predation of Macrocheles embersoni and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) on the house fly and the stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae).

The house fly, Musca domestica L., and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are important and harmful organisms. The cosmopolitan house fly is not parasitic, but the adults are annoying and a known vector of several pathogens. The importance of the stable fly has increased in Brazil in the last 40 years, after major changes in sugarcane cultivation practices were implemented, including the widespread application of vinasse (byproduct in sugarcane mills) and the parallel reduction of sugarcane preharvest burning. These changes have favored the development of this fly, which can reach high populations, that can negatively affect cattle and other animals. The control of these flies relies heavily on the use of chemical products, which very often do not provide adequate population reduction. Predatory mites of the family Macrochelidae have been evaluated under laboratory conditions for the biological control of these organisms, especially of the house fly. The objective of this study was to examine the predation capacity of the macrochelids Macrocheles embersoni Azevedo, Castilho & Berto and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) on the house fly and the stable fly, under semi-field conditions (screen-houses). Reductions of 83 to 90% of the house fly and 66 to 73% of the stable fly populations were observed, with the release of 100 of these predators per square meter. The number of adults of both fly species was much lower in the units where the predators had been released than in the others. However it is suggested that provisioning and or conserving alternative food sources for these macrochelids, such as free-living nematodes, could further improve biocontrol efficacy.

Long-Read Assembly and Annotation of the Parasitoid Wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus, a Biological Control Agent for Filth Flies.

The parasitoid wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a gregarious species that has received extensive attention for its potential in biological pest control against house fly, stable fly, and other filth flies. It has a high reproductive capacity and can be reared easily. However, genome assembly is not available for M. raptorellus or any other species in this genus. Previously, we assembled a complete circular mitochondrial genome with a length of 24,717 bp. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality nuclear genome of M. raptorellus, using a combination of long-read (104× genome coverage) and short-read (326× genome coverage) sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size is 314 Mbp in 226 contigs, with a 97.9% BUSCO completeness score and a contig N50 of 4.67 Mb, suggesting excellent continuity of this assembly. Our assembly builds the foundation for comparative and evolutionary genomic analysis in the genus of Muscidifurax and possible future biocontrol applications.

Identification of Common Sarcosaprophagous Flies in the Yangtze River Delta by COⅠ Gene.

To identify the common sarcosaprophagous flies in the Yangtze River Delta based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ(COⅠ) gene sequence and verify the reliability of this method. Seven common genetically stable sarcosaprophagous flies in three families and six genera were collected from large domestic pig carcasses placed in the field and cultured in the laboratory for many generations. The whole genome DNA was extracted and the COⅠ gene fragment was amplified. The forward and reverse sequencing was followed by splicing. The base composition of the amplified fragment and the rate of interspecific evolutionary divergence were analyzed by software such as Mega 7.0.26. The phylogenetic tree of COⅠ gene sequence of common necrophagous flies in the Yangtze River Delta was established by neighbor joining (NJ) method and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) method. The average base composition of different flies was A(30.14%), T(38.23%), C(15.98%), G(15.65%). The rate of interspecific evolutionary divergence ranged from 2.2% to 15.3%, the lowest rate was between Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya pinguis, the highest rate was between Muscina stabulans and Boettcherisca peregrina. COⅠ gene can be used to identify the common necrophagous flies in the Yangtze River Delta.

Ectoparasite Infestation on Beef Cattle (Bos Indicus) in Kendit Sub-District, Situbondo District

The purpose of this study was to determine the type and percentage of ectoparasites attacking the cattle cow in the Kendit Sub-District, Situbondo District. The research was conducted from July to September 2020 with 100 samples of cow taken. The identification of ectoparasites was carried out at The Laboratory of the Animal Health Center of Situbondo Regency. This study was survey with a cross-sectional design. This study found several ectoparasites of the type of flies that infested the cattle cow: Musca domestica 29.20%, Haematobia irritans 58.96%, Stomoxys calcitrans 2.82%, Tabanus rubidus 0.42%, Tabanus megalops 0.56%, Hippobosca maculata 0.14%. In addition, this study also found ectoparasites of fleas that attacked the cattle cow, among others Bovicola bovis 2.12%, and Haematopinus eurysternus 5.78%. In this study, the dominant type of fly ectoparasite was Haematobia irritans 58.96% and the dominant ectoparasite from flea was Haematopinus eurysternus 5.78%. The suggestions for this research were this research should be continued with a longer time, the fishing method must be more varied because the more fishing methods used, the higher diversity results and it is advisable to maintain cage sanitation, improve maintenance management, and the cleanliness of cattle sheds surroundings to maintain cattle condition.

Distribution of Fly Pests in a Farm in Plateau State, Nigeria

An evaluation of fly pests of cattle was conducted in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT) Farm, Chaha Village, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria between August and October, 2020. Samples were collected from the farm weekly for three months. A total of nine hundred and nineteen (919) adult dipterous flies comprising fifteen species in eight genera across the three sub-orders were caught and identified using aerial sweeping hand net, light trapping and aerial insecticide spray. Phlebotomus papaltasi (44.18%) was the most prevalent while Simulium damnosum (0.22%) was the least. Others were Musca domestica (17.73%), Stomoxys calcitrans (11.43%), Culicoides species (10.99%), Musca autumnalis (10.23%), mosquitoes – Anopheles gambiae/Culex quequinfasciatus (4.89%) and Tabanus species (0.33%). The haematophagous flies (72.04%) out-numbered the non-haematophagous flies (27.96%) and the number of females collected/caught 780 (84.87%) were higher than the males 139 (15.13%). The highest collections were made in October (353 representing 38.41%) while September had the lowest (263 /28.62%). The study established the presence of fly pests in the farm and recommends that appropriate control measures should be put in place to forestall any disease outbreak.

Ecology of zoophilic flies in livestock biocenoses of Ukraine

In modern animal husbandry of Ukraine, there are still some unresolved issues related to the high number of zoophilic flies in the territories of facilities and the spread of animal infectious and parasitic diseases. A detailed study of bioecological peculiarities of the dominant zoophilic fly species contributes to improving the effectiveness of measures to control ectoparasites. 27 zoophilic fly species have been found in animal breeding complexes. The maximum number of parasitic Diptera species was recorded on cattle-keeping premises. The biological properties of Neomyia cornicina (Fabricius, 1781) (size, shape, colour, duration of preimaginal phase development) were studied. Also, we studied the dynamics of the number and daily activity of dominant fly species (Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, M. autumnalis De Geer, 1776, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758)). When studying the intraspecies competition, a high-degree survival of M. domestica and M. autumnalis was determined in the conditions of critical nutritional deficiency (0.5 g of nutrient medium per larva) and increased density of individuals (the imago emergence was 38.6% and 34.0%, respectively). In similar maintenance conditions, the emergence of N. cornicina imago was low (14.6%). With a two-fold increase in the insectarium volume and in the amount of nutrient medium (1 g per larva), the imago emergence of M. domestica, M. autumnalis and N. cornicina increased to 64.0%, 39.2%, and 24.0%, respectively. With an even greater increase in the amount of nutrient medium (2 g per larva), the maximum emergence of imagoes of all the studied fly species was observed (M. domestica, M. autumnalis, and N. cornicina: 96.6%, 91.2% and 72.6%, respectively). In the conditions of interspecific competition, M. autumnalis suppressed N. cornicina even in conditions of a sufficient amount of nutrient substrate. In the competition between M. domestica and M. autumnalis, house fly dominated. Increasing the nutrient medium volume narrowed the gap between the competing species.

Development and first evaluation of an attractant impregnated adhesive tape against blood-sucking flies.

Stable flies are one of the most important arthropod pests of livestock that reduce cattle weight gain and milk production leading to annual economic losses in excess of $2 billion to the US cattle industry. The host-seeking behavior is primarily mediated by associated odors from stable fly larval development environments and host animals. The present paper reports the development and evaluation of attractant-impregnated adhesive tapes to reduce stable fly attacks on cattle. Laboratory bioassays showed that only m-cresol impregnated adhesive tapes caught significantly more stable flies (16 ± 1) than the control tape without attractant added (7 ± 1), with a 77% fly recapture rate. Attractant-impregnated adhesive tapes deployed in cattle feedlots showed significant impacts in reducing fly population, with a total of one million stable flies captured over a period of three weeks (mean catches from 57596 to 102088 stable flies per trap per week). It further relieved cattle stress with a significant reduction of biting fly avoidance behavior, (6 ± 0.4 cows observed with tail wagging in control vs. 3 ± 0.4 from the trap-deployed). The efficacy of the developed tapes lasted up to 1-week longevity, although 70% of m-cresol was released starting from the second day. The m-cresol impregnated adhesive tape provided an 80% reduction in cattle stress due to stable fly attack. This is the first report of a technology developed by integrating an attractant compound into an adhesive material on a plastic film with demonstrated effectiveness in trapping biting flies that attack livestock animals.

Diversity of macrochelid mites in natural and cultivated areas of São Paulo state, Brazil, with description of a new species of Holostaspella (Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) and a key to the caelata group

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is one of the main pests of livestock in Brazil, especially in areas where cattle is raised next to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) fields in which vinasse is used as a fertilizer. Knowledge about the predatory mites associated with this parasite in the field may be helpful in designing programs to control it biologically. Mites of the family Macrochelidae are known to attack fly immatures, and thus could be helpful in reducing the population of the stable fly in the field. The aim of this paper is to report the macrochelid species found in surveys conducted in northwestern São Paulo state, where the fly is known to be present, including a new species here described, Holostaspella paulista Borges & Azevedo sp. nov., to provide complementary descriptions of the other species collected, and to present a key to the caelata group of Holostaspella. In total, 2,946 macrochelid specimens were collected from 264 samples of soil-litter or soil-cow obtained from two areas of sugarcane plantations, a pasture area and a disturbed patch of the Atlantic Forest in 2018 and 2019. Four species of Macrocheles, two of Holostaspella and one of Glyptholaspis were identified. The predominant species was Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese).

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions.

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-sucking insects commonly associated with cattle production systems worldwide and are known to cause severe irritation to cattle due to painful bites. Cattle react to biting stable flies with an aggregating behavior known as bunching. Bunching behavior reduces grazing or feed consumption and thus reduces cattle productivity and welfare. Cattle’s fly-repelling behaviors include foot stomping, head tossing, tail switching and skin twitching. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2017 on 20 California dairies (average lactating herd size = 2,466 (SE±28.392)) during the stable fly season from April to July. The study objectives were to estimate the association between environmental factors and dairy characteristics including facility design, feed and manure management, total mixed ration (TMR) components fed to cattle, and operational pest management procedures and the outcome stable fly activity on California dairies. Stable fly activity was measured by counting stable flies on cow forelimbs (leg count) and on Alsynite traps (trap count) over the 13-week study period. Weekly leg counts were performed for cattle in lactating cow pens (31 pens from 10 study dairies) with counts made during the morning (AM) and again during the afternoon (PM). Trap counts were performed on all 20 study dairies. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models which revealed temporal variation in the average leg and trap counts with stable fly activity increasing from May to June and then decreasing to the lowest activity in July. Leg counts were higher during the afternoon compared to morning. Ambient temperatures ≤30⁰C and relative humidity (RH) measurements <50% were associated with higher leg and trap counts. Traps located at the periphery of study dairies had higher stable fly counts compared to traps located in the interior of the dairy. Cow pens with trees on the periphery had higher leg counts in comparison to pens away from trees. Specific TMR components were associated with both leg and trap counts. Dairies feeding by-products including almond hulls, wet distillers’ grain, fruits, and vegetables had higher trap counts compared to dairies that did not feed these ingredients. At the pen level, pens with rations that contained straw had lower average leg counts compared to pens fed with rations that did not contain straw. A similar association was observed for pens with rations that contained wheat silage when ambient temperatures were ≤30⁰C. In contrast, pens with water added to the TMR while the RH was ≥50% had higher average leg counts compared to pens without water added to the TMR. Dairies that applied insecticides for fly control to their entire facility had lower trap counts compared to dairies that did not apply insecticides. Stable fly activity measured on California dairies using leg and trap counts varied according to the month, environmental factors, pen surroundings, trap location, TMR components, and insecticide use.

Phlebotomine sand fly survey in the Republic of Moldova: species composition, distribution and host preferences

BackgroundPhlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodiae) in the Republic of Moldova have been understudied for decades. Our study provides a first update on their occurrence, species composition and bloodmeal sources after 50 years.MethodsDuring 5 seasons (2013–2017), 58 localities from 20 regions were surveyed for presence of sand flies using CDC light traps and manual aspirators. Species identification was done by a combination of morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling). In engorged females, host blood was identified by three molecular techniques (RFLP, cytb sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping). Population structure of most abundant species was studied by cox1 haplotyping; phylogenetic analyses of ITS2 and cox1 genetic markers were used to resolve relationships of other detected species.ResultsIn total, 793 sand flies were collected at 30 (51.7%) localities from 12 regions of Moldova. Three species were identified by an integrative morphological and molecular approach: Phlebotomus papatasi, P. perfiliewi and Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius), the first being the most abundant and widespread, markedly anthropophilic based on bloodmeal analyses, occurring also indoors and showing low population structure with only five haplotypes of cox1 detected. Distinct morphological and molecular characters of Phlebotomus sp. (Adlerius) specimens suggest the presence of a yet undescribed species.ConclusionsOur study revealed the presence of stable sand fly populations of three species in Moldova that represent a biting nuisance as well as a potential threat of pathogen transmission and shall be further studied.Graphical abstract

Experimental investigation on thermal conductivity of fly ash nanofluid and fly ash-Cu hybrid nanofluid: prediction and optimization via ANN and MGGP model

In the present work, the thermal conductivity (TC) of stable water base fly ash and fly ash-Copper (80:20 vol.%) nanofluid was determined experimentally in the temperature range of 30–60 °C for the volume concentration range of 0–4.0%. The two-step method was applied to prepare the nanofluids. The outcomes revealed that the TC of both the nanofluids augmented with the temperature and concentration, and also hybrid nanofluid had greater TC compared to the fly ash nanofluid and water. A new correlation was proposed for the calculation of the TC of these nanofluids based on obtained data. The maximum TC ratio of 1.32 and 1.50 obtained for a concentration of 4 vol.% of fly ash and hybrid nanofluid at 60 °C. In addition, to effectively predict and optimize the TC of water-based fly ash and studied hybrid nanofluid, multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP), and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches were applied. The comparative analysis showed the excellent ability of the ANN and MGGP model to predict the TC of fly ash and hybrid nanofluid with the regression coefficient (R) values of 0.9969 and 0.9966, respectively.