Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this investigation were to describe adult phenology near the pelican colony at MLNWR and to determine daily and lifetime fecundity when fed on cattle, horse, or chicken blood. From 2008-2010, relative adult abundance was measured by placing white Coroplast cards near the colony, around confinement lots, and along transects in pasture used by grazing cattle. Results of this work were formally presented at the Livestock Insect Workers' Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Greg Johnson, Principal Investigator; Kristina Hale, Ph.D. graduate student; Marni Rolston, research associate; Anya Jackson, research assistant. Work was completed at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake, MT. TARGET AUDIENCES: Veterinary entomologists working on stable flies were interested in adult fly dynamics in northeast Montana. Cattle producers were interested in learning about biology and ecology of stable flies and impact on cattle. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Results showed that temporal dynamics of stable flies varied by habitat type (2008: F = 7.4; df = 16, 191; P< 0.001; 2009: F=17.7; df = 14, 270; P < 0.001) and that local dispersal of adult flies occurred throughout the season. Weekly changes in abundance were explained by temperature, precipitation, and degree-days in 2008 (F = 12.2; r2 = 0.13) and 2010 (F = 13.8; r2 = 0.27) and by temperature and precipitation in 2009 (F = 164.6; r2 = 0.82). Stable flies from a laboratory-maintained colony were provided with cattle, horse, or chicken blood and daily and lifetime fecundity rates were measured through F2 adult emergence. Flies fed chicken blood laid more eggs per day than those fed cattle (P = 0.008) or horse blood (P = 0.05), but lifetime fecundity was similar between treatments (x2 = 3.4; df = 2; P = 0.2) because of shorter oviposition periods in cohorts fed chicken blood. These results indicate that the nutritional composition of blood from these hosts does not explain the rarity of stable flies feeding on birds.
Publications
- Hale, K. 2011. Proximate Causation of Stable Fly (Stomoxys Calcitrans (L.)) Host Use: The Influence of Phenology and Host Blood Suitability. Ph.D. Dissertation. MSU.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this investigation were to describe adult phenology near the pelican colony at MLNWR and to determine daily and lifetime fecundity when fed on cattle, horse, or chicken blood. From 2008-2010, relative adult abundance was measured by placing white Coroplast cards near the colony, around confinement lots, and along transects in pasture used by grazing cattle. Results of this work were formally presented at the Livestock Insect Workers' Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Greg Johnson, Principal investigator; Kristina Hale, Ph.D. graduate student; Marni Rolston, research associate; Anya Jackson, research assistant. Work was completed at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake, Mont. TARGET AUDIENCES: Veterinary entomologists working on stable flies were interested in adult fly dynamics in northeast Montana. Cattle producers were interested in learning about biology and ecology of stable flies and impact on cattle. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Results showed that temporal dynamics of stable flies varied by habitat type (2008: F = 7.4; df = 16, 191; P < 0.001; 2009: F = 17.7; df = 14, 270; P < 0.001) and that local dispersal of adult flies occurred throughout the season. Weekly changes in abundance were explained by temperature, precipitation, and degree-days in 2008 (F = 12.2; r2 = 0.13) and 2010 (F = 13.8; r2 = 0.27) and by temperature and precipitation in 2009 (F = 164.6; r2 = 0.82). Stable flies from a laboratory-maintained colony were provided with cattle, horse, or chicken blood and daily and lifetime fecundity rates were measured through F2 adult emergence. Flies fed chicken blood laid more eggs per day than those fed cattle (P = 0.008) or horse blood (P = 0.05), but lifetime fecundity was similar between treatments (χ2 = 3.4; df = 2; P = 0.2) because of shorter oviposition periods in cohorts fed chicken blood. These results indicate that the nutritional composition of blood from these hosts does not explain the rarity of stable flies feeding on birds.
Publications
- Hale, K. 2011. Proximate Causation Of Stable Fly (Stomoxys Calcitrans (L.)) Host Use: The Influence of Phenology and Host Blood Suitability. Ph.D. Dissertation. MSU.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Adult stable fly abundance at Medicine Lake National Wildlife refuge was measured by placing white Coroplast cards near a pelican colony, around animal confinement lots, and along transects in pasture used by grazing cattle. Results showed that temporal dynamics vary by site and that local dispersal is occurring throughout the season. Overall, stable fly populations in northeast Montana are bimodal with peaks in late July and late August. Weekly changes in abundance are explained by temperature and not precipitation. Stable flies from a laboratory-maintained colony were fed cattle, horse, or chicken blood meals and daily and lifetime fecundity rates were measured through F2 adult emergence. Flies fed chicken blood laid more eggs per day than those fed cattle or horse blood, but lifetime fecundity was similar between treatments due to a shorter oviposition period in cohorts fed chicken blood. These results indicate that the nutritional composition of blood from these hosts does not explain the rarity of stable flies feeding on birds. Parasitism of filth flies was investigated at a dairy in southwest Montana. Six species of parasitoids were recovered from hand-collected pupae. These included Muscidifurax raptor, M. zaraptor, Spalangia nigroaenea, S. cameroni, S. drosophilidae and Phydadeuon sp. Parastisim rates were < 10% from June - September but increase to >20% in October. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include beef and dairy cattle producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Research on stable fly population dynamics in northeast Montana indicates that a small percentage of flies successfully overwinter in Montana resulting in minimal economic impact on cattle until mid- to late summer. Physiological age-grading suggests that migrant flies are moving into the region from other locations. There is likely only three generations produced per year in this area. Stable fly numbers attacking cattle were relatively low and exceeded the economic threshold on two occasions during 2010. The impact of parasitoids on filth flies in a dairy operation was low during most of the summer. Although an increase in parasitism was recorded in October, this had little impact on nuisance levels of flies. It is recommended that in lieu of insecticide treatments, dairy operators regularly schedule sanitation operations to keep fly levels below nuisance level thresholds.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2009 three animal confinement facilities were sampled (MSU - BART, Bos Dairy and Cedarview Dairy). To determine where flies are being produced, numerous sites were searched for fly pupae at each of the animal facilities. Up to 100 pupae were collected from sites (calf barns, feed bunks, manure/straw piles), weekly from late May through September. Sites abundant with immature flies were recorded, pupae were collected and brought to the lab for identification, emergence and to determine the frequency of parasitism and species parasitizing flies. Fly populations, mostly house flies, peaked in mid-August which was believed to be later than usual due to the cool summer. The following parasitoids emerged from the fly pupae: Muscidifurax raptor and M. zaraptor, Spalangia (S. cameroni and S. nigroeanea) and Phygadeuon sp. Maximum emergence of parasitoid populations occurred in mid- to late August. This suggests that use of insecticides, especially early in the fly season, would have a deleterious effect on parasitoid populations. The role of parasitoids in reducing fly populations is currently unknown. PARTICIPANTS: Local dairy operators. TARGET AUDIENCES: Dairies in Montana. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The expected impacts of this project will document the intensity of muscoid fly problems in confined facilities in southwest Montana. This project will provide baseline data for the development of biological, chemical and cultural control strategies for stable flies and house flies. Such strategies will reduce the impact of these flies on livestock operations and the impact they may have on neighboring residential areas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Stable flies were collected between April 13 and October 24, 2008 from four different locations in and around the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge in north east Montana using white 20.32- using 30.48-cm Coroplast cards coated with Tangle-Trap insect adhesive. Locations included 1) Bridgerman Point, a peninsula where pelicans nest; 2) Schmidt Farm approximately 0.5 km south east of the main lake; 3) Nelson Farm 3 km south of the main lake; and 4) fenced pastures between Nelson's Farm and the main lake where approximately 300 cow/calf units were rotated between three grazing allotments. In each allotment at Site 4, a transect with four Coroplast cards ran perpendicular to Medicine Lake. Drought conditions prohibited cattle from grazing in designated allotments as originally scheduled. As a result, the cattle spent July 3 - August 14 in one allotment closest to transect #4 and then were moved to pastures away from the transects from August 26 - October 24. A total of 484 cards was collected on 14 dates between April 13 and October 24. The first stable fly was collected May 16 from Bridgerman Point. Stable flies were abundant from mid-July through August (Fig 1.) The range of stable flies collected on August 14, the peak of stable fly abundance, was from 10 to 1276 flies per card, with the latter collected on cards from Site 2 - Schmidt Farm. Spatially, stable fly collections were relatively equal on Coroplast cards collected from Site 1 -Bridgerman Point, Site 2 - Schmidt Farm and Site 4 - fenced pastures. Consistently more males were captured than females with a male/female ratio of 7:1 early in the season and 2:1 mid to late season. Less mature flies (physiological age <1.0) were collected from Site 2 - Schmidt Farm and older flies (physiological age >2.0) were captured from Site 1 - Bridgerman Point and Site 4 - fenced pastures. Cattle leg counts ranged from 0 to 68 flies per animal. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Kevin O'Neill, Montana State University Kristina Hale, Montana State University Dr. Don Rutz, Cornell University Dr. Philip Kaufman, University of Florida Dr. Jerome Hogsette, USDA ARS Dr. Wes Watson, North Carolina State University Dr. Tim Lysyk, Agri-Foods Canada TARGET AUDIENCES: Livestock producers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In 2008, stable flies were active at and around MLNWR between May 16 and October 24. Unlike other studies that have shown two population peaks during late Spring and early Fall (Broce et al. 2005), the population at Medicine Lake exhibited one peak around mid-August. Abundance was relatively equal at the pelicans' roosting site, near grazing cattle on an open prairie and around cattle holding pens. Had a significant difference in abundance between these locations been detected, especially during either the early or latter part of the season, this would have indicated possible overwintering sites. However, it was during these parts of the season that the frequency of sampling was lowest. That a significant difference was not detected suggests that either these locations are not overwintering sites or that more frequent sampling during the early and later periods of the season needs to be conducted.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: To assess the impact of a 2007 WNV epizootic in an American white pelican colony Medicine Lake NWR in northeast Montana, counts of dead pre-fledged pelicans were being made twice weekly from July through mid-August. During a mid-July assessment, flies were observed feeding on moribund pre-fledges and were collected from the birds and identified as stable flies. A total of 1,291 stable flies (83% male, 17% female) were collected. Eight percent of the flies were blood fed (i.e., had visible blood in their abdomen). Flies without visible blood were pooled (60 pools each containing up to 20 flies) and assayed for WNV. Eighteen of 60 pools were positive for WNV. These findings were disseminated during a symposium (Vector-borne pathogens of Livestock and Wildlife) sponsored by the Society for Vector Ecology and at the annual conference of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control Association.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants from Montana State University include Kristina Hale, Marni Rolston and Anya jackson. Partner organizations include Arbovirus Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO.
TARGET AUDIENCES: This study describes the increased risk of WNV transmission to personnel working with colonial nesting birds (i.e., wildlife biologists, refuge personnel) and the potential risk to the general public.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major changes are considered at this time.
Impacts
This represents the first report of stable flies feeding on pelicans and first detection of a flavivirus in stable flies. Collaborative studies between USDA-ARS, CDC/CCID/NCZVED and MSU to determine vector potential of stable fly are underway.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Fly densities have not permitted adequate sampling to determine development or overwintering strategies of stable flies. Monitoring will continue to find a fly population that can be sampled throughout the summer and monitored over the winter.
Impacts
Stable flies are economic pets of beef and dairy cattle in many parts of the mid west and western US. It is likely the arid environment precludes this insect from being an economic pest in Montana.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
A study was initiated to investigate the overwintering success of stable flies in and around hay bales. Samples obtained this spring will provide evidence relative to the ability of this speices to survive the winter in Montana.
Impacts
This study may help explain why some cattle producers are experiencing stable fly problems early in the season.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
There is no activity to report for this project during the specified reprot period.
Impacts
Develop management strategies for stable flies and reduce the economic impacts of these flies on dairy and pastured cattle.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
There is no activity to report for this project during the specified report period.
Impacts
Develop management strategies for stable flies and reduce the economic impacts of these flies on dairy and pastured cattle.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
There is no activity to report on for this project during the specified report period.
Impacts
Develop management strategies for stable flies and reduce the economic impacts of these flies on dairy and pastured cattle.
Publications
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