Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, extension personnel, or producers involved with arthropod pests in poultry systems. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Talks were presented to the western USA poultry veterinarians on changing pest complexes and severity associated with animal welfare-driven changes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A study was published on contact toxicity of one of a new category of parasiticides, fluralaner, against northern fowl mites. The material is highly effective in a packet bioassay. Several other publications were produced that included research information on that mite species. One was a review of what is known of that important pest species, the first such review since 1991. Two other publications were meant to alert entomologists, poultry scientists, and poultry veterinarians to a looming pest crisis. Welfare-driven changes in housing, such as the move to free-range systems, will greatly expand the diversity and severity of arthropod pest problems in poultry. Key among these is the poultry red mite, which has raised havoc in western Europe since they moved away from suspended wire cages. A talk was presented to western USA veterinarians emphasizing the need to be vigilant and try to plan ahead for pest management of red mites.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mullens, B. A., A. C. Murillo, H. Zoller, A. Heckeroth, F. Jirgis and A. F. Sigognault. 2017. Comparative in vitro evaluation of contact activity of fluralaner, spinosad, phoxim, propoxur, permethrin and deltamethrin against the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum. Par. Vect. 10:358. DOI 10.1186/s13071-017-2289-z
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Murillo, A. C. and B. A. Mullens. 2017. A review of the biology, ecology, and control of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae). Vet. Parasitol. 246: 30-37.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Mullens, B. A., N. C. Hinkle, R. T. Fryxell and K.Rochon. 2017. Past, present and future contributions and needs for veterinary entomology in the United States and Canada. Amer. Entomol. (in press).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mullens, B. A., A. C. Murillo and A. C. Gerry. 2017. The rapidly changing landscape of poultry pest control: What lies ahead? Proc. West. Poultry Dis. Conf. 66: 133-138
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Murillo, A. C., D. Cox and B. A. Mullens. Longevity of fly baits exposed to field conditions. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, extension personnel, and producers interested in arthropod pest management in poultry systems Changes/Problems:The on-host mite feeding experiments have proven difficult due to reluctance of mites to feed in enclosures. We will continue to try to improve their feeding under such conditions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Ph.D. students and two undergraduate students gained significant experience and expertise in experimental design and analysis by working with the two ectoparasites and infested hens How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One poultry pest management book chapter was published in early 2017 and another prospective review of future poultry pest management challenges is completed and should be published in the coming year. Four reviewed, scientific publications were published on timing of dustbathing and its impacts on mites, a novel sulfur dust bag technique for mite suppression in basically any type of housing, and the first survey in North America of ectoparasites of backyard chickens. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to try to examine on-host feeding success of mites in different group sizes. The hypothesis is that mites feed more effectively in groups due perhaps to pooling anti-hemostasis compounds in their saliva. We also will try a new infrared camera that should allow us to evaluate local skin temperature (indicative of inflammation) changes associated with focal mite feeding on immunologically naïve versus immunologically experienced hens
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The focus of this project has been the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus. One poultry pest management book chapter was published in early 2017 and another prospective review of future poultry pest management challenges is completed and should be published in the coming year. Four reviewed, scientific publications were published on impact of MHC haplotype on mite and hen performance, timing of dustbathing and its impacts on mites, a novel sulfur dust bag technique for mite suppression in basically any type of housing, and the first survey in North America of ectoparasites of backyard chickens. A hen strain with the resistant MHC gene did not differ from hens with the mite susceptibility gene in terms of metabolism following infestation, but mite-infested hens had substantially reduced feed conversion efficiency regardless of haplotype. Mite resistant hens displayed that resistance only when they were held under somewhat suboptimal (warm) environmental conditions. Providing dust boxes with diatomaceous earth can prevent economically damaging infestations, but the Isa Brown strain hens used did not develop an immune response sufficient to continue to suppress mites after boxes were removed. Sulfur dust bags hung in cages completely suppressed mites for at least 4 weeks relative to controls and cages with permethrin strips, which were entirely ineffective. The lack of permethrin effect suggests significant resistance that has persisted without further permethrin pressure for at least a decade. Backyard chickens in southern California have a far higher diversity of ectoparasites than commercial caged hens. Backyard chickens had the two common parasites that also are found on commercial hens: O. sylviarum and M. stramineus. In addition they had Echidnophaga gallinacea, Dermanyssus gallinae, Menacanthus cornutus, Menopon gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Goniocotes gallinae, Cuclotogaster heterographus, and Knemidocoptes mutans. Backyard flocks thus pose a continuing risk to commercial operations of different parasites and provide a preview of what might be expected as welfare concerns force commercial operations to move from cage systems to birds housed on the ground (e.g. free range). Preliminary experiments on placing mites on a host in enclosed arenas were not successful in getting mites to feed (to evaluate group size effects), but efforts are ongoing.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Murillo, A. C. and B. A. Mullens. 2016. Timing Diatomaceous Earth-filled Dustbox Use for Management of Northern Fowl Mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) in Cage-Free Poultry Systems. J. Econ. Entomol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jee/tow165
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers, extension personnel, and farmers interested in poultr pest management Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Ph.D. students and two undergraduate students gained significant experience and expertise in experimental design and analysis by working with the two ectoparasites and infested hens. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two scientific papwers have been published, and talks have been presented at 2 scientific and 3 outreach-type meetings (4H and veterinary diagnostic lab outreach sessions aimed at backyard chocken keepers) that contained elements of the work. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will examine how mite group size impacts feeding success on hens, and will examine mechanisms that might explain the exclusion of mites by lice, when the two parasites infest the same host. We also will employ infrared photography to examine possible skin temperature effects and responses to mite feeding.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The focus of this project has been the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus. The long-term research effort resulted in two 2015 research publications. We showed that caged hens had far more parasites when beak-trimmed, and groomed more when infested by body lice. Mite-infested hens, like lice, directed more grooming toward the vent, where parasites were most abundant, but mite-infested hens did not groom overall for a longer time. Dustbathing in different relatively coarse substances showed that the finest one available (sand) was preferred by hens but dustbathing in sand did not impact mite numbers.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vezzoli, G., B. A. Mullens and J. A. Mench. 2015. Dustbathing behavior: do ectoparasites matter? Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.169: 93-99.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Vezzoli, G., B. A. Mullens and J. A. Mench. 2015. Relationships between beak condition, preening behavior and ectoparasite infestation levels in laying hens. Poul. Sci. 94: 1997-2007.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers, extension personnel and producers interested or involved in pest management in poultry systems Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One graduate student and 2 undergraduate students have gained experience working with poultry and their ectoparasitic mites and lice. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been published in the J. Parasitology and presented at several scientific meetings (Entomological Society of America, Livestock Insect Workers Conference). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will be examining how mites interact with lice on a host, probably using on-host confinement capsules, and want to see how male mite biology might differ from that of females (e.g. do they actually blood feed?).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A study was completed and published examining how northern fowl mites adjust their on-host position with changing environmental temperatures.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
DeLaRiva, D. G., D. Soto and B. A. Mullens. 2014. Temperature governs on-host distribution of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae). J. Parasitol. 101: 18-23.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers, extension personnel, and producers interested in poultry pest management. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A graduate stuednt and several students have been able to learn about conducting hen ectoparasite studies and related assays. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We have presented the metabolism studies at a scientific conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We are continuing to work on mites and preparing two papers for publication. We also are conducting some house fly studies to examine how they repsond to toxic fly baits.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have continued to study the biology of the northern fowl mite, particularly executing a study on how the mites impact hen metabolism. This in turn impacts egg production, as hens are forced to devote metabolic resources toward fighting mites rather than producing eggs. These studies are being analyzed now. We also are preparing a study on temperature effects on mite distributions on feathers for publication. We also have done some testing recently of newer house fly baits. All are in preparation. The published item involves a fly fungal pathogen and how it effects fly populations. One paper is published now, and another data set is being worked up by the collaborator in North Carolina.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Gryganski, A. P., R. A. Humber, J. E. Stajich, B. Mullens, I. M. Anischenko. 2013. Sequential utilization of hosts from different fly families bu genetically distinct, sympatric populations within the Entomophthora muscae species complex. PLOS One 8: e71168
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project addresses two key poultry parasites, the biting louse Menacanthus stramineus and the blood-feeding mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum. It was shown in vivo (on live hens) that the mite adjusts its position in the feather layer (closer to versus further from the skin) as ambient temperatures change. When they have a choice, mites prefer to occupy feather temperatures of 28-30 C. At warmer environmental temperatures (above about 30 C), temperatures all through the feather layer often exceed 37 C, and 39 C is lethal for the mites. So, this explains the mite preference for the thick vent feathers (higher humidity and more temperature choices for thermoregulation). It also explains why mites are less abundant in warmer weather and tend to move away from hosts then and become human biting pests and nuisances. Recently we are examining mite impacts on hen metabolism, since the metabolic cost of the immune response is thought to cause much of the economic impact. This is being done using hens with resistant and susceptible MHC class II genes, to see if mite resistance also results in better economic performance. PARTICIPANTS: C. Martin, A. Murillo, A. Gerry, D. Soto from UC Riverside. TARGET AUDIENCES: Poultry science and poultry production professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Studies of ectoparasite distribution on living hosts are very rare in the literature. These studies show the utility of hens as model hosts for asking a variety of basic questions on host-parasite relationships. We suspect that mite-resistant hens are resistant at a high metabolic cost, because of the great skin inflammation involved in resistance. Thus, while using resistant hosts seems like an attractive alternative, in thee present system it may be better to use hens that will tolerate the infestation.
Publications
- Martin, C. D. and B. A. Mullens. 2012. Housing and Dustbathing Effects on Northern Fowl Mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and Chicken Body Lice (Menacanthus stramineus) on Hens. Med. Vet. Entomol. 26: 323-333.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The northern fowl mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum and the body louse Menacanthus stramineus were extensively studied in this project. Off-host survival is excellent for the mite, which explains its far superior persistence between poultry flocks vs. the louse. Mites are the worse pest and their severity is linked to variation in the MHC genes responsible for hen immune responses. Much of the economic impact is caused by the mites forcing the hens' immune responses to engage, taking resources from egg production etc. Inflammation responses are key in reducing mite numbers, as mites literally starve due to inability to locate inflamed capillaries. Mites and lice have specific and different temperature and humidity requirements, explaining why they are found on different parts of the hen bodies. Hen beak condition (beak trimming) causes the high ectoparasite numbers, and is needed to prevent cannibalism. Selection for docile hens might allow producers to forego that trimming, allowing beak-intact hens to control their own parasites by proper grooming and thus not need pesticide treatment at all. Lice eliminate mites on co-infested hens, raising the possibility of using lice for mite control in a flock, then eliminating the easier-to-control lice with pesticides. Inert materials were shown to be effective for louse and mite control in dustboxes with sand (diatomaceous earth, sulfur and kaolin). Those materials plus Beauveria bassiana (a fungal pathogen of arthropods) were tested for control in liquid formulations also. This information was published in scientific literature, presented at scientific meetings, presented to farmers orally in extension meetings and individually, and publicized to some extent by UC Riverside publicity people. Five graduate students and 7 undergraduate students were directly involved in the work. PARTICIPANTS: Training in the project was quite extensive. Several graduate students were involved in this work. Dr. Jeb Owen (now at Washington State Univ. on their faculty) did his Ph.D. on northern fowl mite interactions with the hen immune system. Dr. Sarah Butler (LSU Postdoc) did her Ph.D. on house fly biology and use of pheromones. House flies are a pest in multiple animal agriculture systems, including poultry. Dr. Brian Chen (veterinarian in Sacramento) did his M.S. on mite and louse survival off-host and louse-mite interactions on hosts. Chris Martin (IPM specialist with the US Navy) did his M.S. on dustboxes and housing effects on mites and lice. Amy Murillo (Ph.D. student) just began her studies on hen-mite interactions, particularly regarding metabolism and social interactions in hen groups. A Ph.D. student at UC Davis, Giuseppe Vezzoli, is also involved through Mullens being on his graduate committee and his work on mites. Many undergraduates also have been heavily involved. Dale Halbritter (Ph.D. student at Univ. of FL) did a 2-yr honors program study on abiotic influences on mite and louse behavior. Debra De La Riva (Ph.D. student at UCR) did a study on mite distribution on feathers as it varies with temperature. Brittany Callaham (Married to a soldier in West VA) did studies on fungal pathogen impacts on mites. Martie Pastor (UCLA lab technician) and Kathryn Haith (Working at a molecular biology lab in Los Angeles) helped with the Mullens, Owen and Chen studies on mites and lice. Diane Soto (UCR undergrad and now Mullens' technician), Alesha Diniz (UCR undergrad and now Mullens' technician), and Fallon Fowler are still here at UCR. Several other scientists have been involved, notably from UC Davis Drs. J. Mench and M. Delany (Animal Science), A. Bickford and C. Cardona (UCCE Extension veterinarians), D. Kuney and D. Bell (UCCE poultry specialists/farm advisors). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are research veterinary entomologists, poultry researchers, producers and extension personnel. They have been reached in several ways noted above. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Certain aspects included in the 5-yr plan were not done (e.g. Dermanyssus interactions with housing or other ectoparasites), while others were greatly expanded upon (immune system studies). In general, however, this project has been extremely active and very successful in addressing very real producer problems and interesting scientific questions.
Impacts
Organic poultry producers already are using the dustbox information on their own farms. The breeder industry is moving toward selection of docile hen lines, partly influenced by the UCR findings on benefits of the intact beak. The findings of this project stimulated further research on pest control options in newer housing systems, and his invitation to join a group of specialists in poultry. This led to the involvement of the PI in a comprehensive review of hen welfare and housing trends in the poultry industry, with consequent impacts on the poultry industry and its awareness of housing as it affects pests. The PI was invited to travel to Sweden to participate in a Dermanyssus discussion, and this has led to his assembling an international team to write a comprehensive review of poultry mite biology and control. Most of all, our involvement allows us to make it clear that the looming, large changes in welfare-driven hen housing and culture in the USA must take ectoparasite control into consideration.
Publications
- Halbritter, D. A. and B. A. Mullens. 2011. Responses of Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari:Macronyssidae) and Menacanthus stramineus (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) to Gradients of Temperature, Light, and Humidity, with Comments on Microhabitat Selection on Chickens. J. Med. Entomol. 48: 251-261.
- Mullens, B. A., D. Soto, C. D. Martin, B. L. Callaham and A. C. Gerry. 2012. Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) control evaluations using liquid formulations of diatomaceous earth, kaolin, sulfur, azadirachtin, and Beauveria bassiana on caged laying hens. J. Appl. Poultry Res. (in press).
- Martin, C. D. and B. A. Mullens. 2012. Housing and Dustbathing Effects on Northern Fowl Mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and Chicken Body Lice (Menacanthus stramineus) on Hens. Med. Vet. Entomol. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Presentations were given at several scientific meetings, including three at the Livestock Insect Workers' Conference in Knoxville, TN (June 2010), one at the International Congress of Acarology in Recife, Brazil (Aug. 2010) and two at the national meeting of the Entomological Society of America in San Diego, CA (Dec. 2010). PARTICIPANTS: Four graduate students at UCR and two undergraduate students (training and development) were involved in these projects, including J. P. Owen, B. L. Chen, S. M. Butler, C. Martin, K. Haith and D. A. Halbritter. B. Mullens worked with a poultry team on the welfare review (see publications cited). TARGET AUDIENCES: Poultry producers and researchers interested in poultry ectoparasite biology, host-parasite relationships and control. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Collections of northern fowl mites from both wild birds (mainly house sparrows) and chickens on southern California farms were done in spring 2010. These were sent to Washington State University (Dr. Jeb Owen) for genetic analysis. Preliminary data show that there is very limited, but some, gene flow between wild and domestic birds. Wild bird mites are more genetically diverse. Data suggest that chicken mites tend to persist on a farm long-term in that host; we will make more collections this spring to investigate that. Experiments were completed testing response of northern fowl mites and chicken body lice to off-host gradients of temperature, humidity and light. Mites arrested at about 30 C, which corresponded to feather temperatures 2 cm from the host skin. Lice arrested at 34-35 C. Mites were more active in darkness, preferred harborage to arrest, and avoided bright light. Lice were less selective but showed some preference for light and avoided artificial harborage. Lice avoided high humidity for arrestment, but walking lice showed no detectable preferences. Dustbox studies were done using hens infested with either lice or mites, and dustboxes with a mixture of sand plus diatomaceous earth (DE), kaolin clay (K), or sulfur (S). Individual hens actually using the dustboxes significantly reduced ectoparasite loads when bathing in DE or K. Even non-user hens showed substantial ectoparasite reduction (especially mites) by even being around an area where S was used by some hens. Liquid formulations of S, DE, K or Beauveria bassiana were tested on caged hens infested with mites. The S was very effective, some reduction was shown using DE and K, and no reduction was seen using B. bassiana. Prior studies on beak condition and its effects on ectoparasites of poultry were published. Beak-intact hens can substantially reduce their own ectoparasite loads, possibly allowing producers to avoid pesticide use, if intact beaks could be adopted. Trials of muscalure for house fly attraction in the field were published, showing effects on both fly sexes and particularly in conjunction with sugar. A review paper on hen welfare versus housing types was published.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., B. L. Chen and J. P. Owen. 2010. Beak condition and cage density determine abundance and spatial distribution of northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and chicken body lice, Menacanthus stramineus, on caged laying hens. Poult. Sci. 89: 2565-2572.
- Butler, S. M. and B. A. Mullens. 2010. Adult house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) activity and age of females near varying levels of (Z)-9-tricosene on a southern California dairy. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1929-1936.
- Lay, D. C., M. Fulton, P. Y. Hester, D. M. Karcher, J. Kjaer, J. A. Mench, B. A. Mullens, R. C. Newberry, C. J. Nicol, N. P. O'Sullivan, and R. E. Porter. 2011. Hen welfare in different housing systems. Poultry Sci. 90: 278-294.
- Halbritter, D. A. and B. A. Mullens. 2011. Responses of Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) and Menacanthus stramineus (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) to Gradients of Temperature, Light, and Humidity, with Comments on Microhabitat Selection on Chickens. J. Med. Entomol. (in press).
- Chen, B. L., K. L. Haith and B. A. Mullens. 2011. Beak condition drives abundance and grooming-mediated competitive asymmetry in a poultry ectoparasite community. Parasitol. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Work is on two fronts- ecology and control of poultry ectoparasites and ecology and control of muscoid flies associated with animal agriculture, including poultry. Studies on mite-host interactions, including the immune response, were published. These showed that genes in the MHC II complex substantially influenced mite population growth, largely due to a differential inflammation response that prevents mites from being able to blood-feed properly. Intensive economic studies on commercial operations showed the mechanisms and magnitude of damage, also driven by resource allocation to the immune response. This has led to a new, collaborative study (funded by USDA-AFRI) to examine whether mites on wild birds are the same as those on poultry. A new project was launched to examine how mites and lice performed on caged versus cage-free hens, and whether dust boxes with inorganic materials might be used for ectoparasite suppression. Finally, field studies on house fly biology are being published. The main one showed that house fly females mate when quite young, but will remate at a low level later in life. Males are older at time of mating. Females frequently have low to undetectable levels of muscalure, leading to questions about the role of that material as a sex phermone. A study on house fly behavior and control using metaflumizone and comparative (standard) fly toxicants was completed and published. Metaflumizone acts slowly but has promise. PARTICIPANTS: The mite-host relationships work was done with Dr. Jeb Owen, now at Washington State University. Economic impact work was done with D. Kuney (UC Cooperative Extension), J. Mench (UC Davis Animal Science), G. Vezzoli (UC Davis Animal Science), N. O'Sullivan (Hyline Int., Iowa), and several UCR technicians, notably J. Conklin. The dust box work is with Chris Martin (UCR graduate student), Dale Halbritter (UCR undergraduate Entomology major), and Diane Soto (UCR research technician). The bait work was with Dr. Alec Gerry (UCR) and Alesha Diniz (UCR undergraduate Biology major). TARGET AUDIENCES: Poultry producers and academic and extension personnel interested in poultry ectoparasite and fly research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We add things periodically that fit, such as the metaflumizone work.
Impacts
The genetically-influenced variation in susceptibility to mites raises the possibility of breeding for resistant strains. The wild bird studies may allow us to determine conclusively whether wild birds truly harbor and transmit mites that can infest domestic poultry. With the changing animal welfare scene in the USA (movement toward cage-free systems), we hopefully can use dust boxes with environmentally friendly (organic) materials for pest control by the chickens themselves. Knowledge of house fly mating behavior will help us understand and better utilize chemicals such as pheromones for their control via toxic fly baits etc. Metaflumizone is a new, promising fly toxicant. In general, the support for these projects has clearly been used very productively and is leveraging other, more robust funding at the federal level.
Publications
- Butler, S. M., R. D. Moon, N. C. Hinkle, J. G. Millar, J. S. McElfresh, and B. A. Mullens. 2009. Characterization of age and cuticular hydrocarbon variation in mating pairs of house fly, Musca domestica, collected in the field. Med. Vet. Entomol. 23: 426-442.
- Mullens, B. A., A. C. Gerry and A. N. Diniz. 2010. Field and laboratory trials of a novel metaflumizone house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) bait in California. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
- Owen, J. P., M. E. Delany, C. C. Cardona, A. A. Bickford and B. A. Mullens. 2009. Host inflammatory response governs fitness in an avian ectoparasite, the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum). Int. J. Parasitol. 39: 789-799.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A paper on economic impact of northern fowl mites on commercial flocks was completed. The study showed reduction of weight gains, and often in feed conversion efficiency and numbers and size of eggs, in infested commercial hens. This was reflected in rather severe economic impact- around $0.10 profit reduction per hen for heavily infested hens in only 10 weeks. While mite infestations reduced weight gain trajectories in individual infested birds, the heavier hens in a flock had more mites. The effect would tend to obscure measurement of negative mite impacts if they were not being looked for via repeated measures of many individual hens. Much of the damage is thought to be due to metabolic costs of engaging and maintaining the immune response, and tradeoffs occur among individual hens in their allocation of resources to growth and reproduction versus immune system function. Studies on economic impact of both mites and lice, and on beak-intact versus beak-trimmed hens, were completed under more controlled experimental conditions, but full analysis and write-up are pending. In general the trials support the idea that both pests can damage production, but the more severe damage is due to mites. Damage is worst for both ectoparasites on beak-trimmed hens that were less able to groom. Some damage was still detectable on mite-infested hens with intact beaks, however. Two papers on mite interactions with the hen immune system were also published. These implicated the MHC genes in immunity and showed the effects of inflammation on mite population performance. PARTICIPANTS: J. P. Owen, now at Washington State Univ., did his Ph.D. on mite-hen interactions. Other participants include UC Cooperative Extension Farm advisors and poultry veterinarians and Animal Science Dept. personnel from UC Davis (Kuney, Delany, Bickford, Cardona, Mench). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are extension personnel, farmers, and scientists interested in improving animal production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There have been no major project modifications.
Impacts
Better understanding of the hen-ectoparasite interaction should encourage and target efforts to breed hens that are better able to tolerate or resist attack without severe economic damage. Similarly, selection of docile hen lines may allow use of beak-intact hens that are better able to control their own parasites without pesticide use.
Publications
- Owen, J. P., M. E. Delany and B. A. Mullens. 2008. MHC haplotype involvement in avian resistance to an ectoparasite. Immunogenetics 60: 621-631.
- Owen, J. P., M. E. Delany, C. C. Cardona, A. A. Bickford and B. A. Mullens. 2009. Host inflammation response governs fitness in an avian ectoparasite, the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum). Int. J. Parasitol. (in press).
- Mullens, B. A., J. P. Owen, D. R. Kuney, C. E. Szijj and K. A. Klingler. 2009. Temporal changes in distribution, prevalence and intensity of northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) parasitism in commercial caged laying hens, with a comprehensive economic analysis of parasite impact. Vet. Parasitol. 160:116-133.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project was revised last year, so this is the first year of the new revision. A study on hen immune system interactions with the northern fowl mite was completed. Adult mites fed much less successfully on pre-exposed hens vs. naive ones, even though the skin condition visually looked excellent for both hen groups. Those unfed or partially fed mites did not produce progeny or survive as long as fully fed mites. Inflammation of skin due to mite infestation was critical in preventing mites from accessing blood, resulting in starvation especially of the small protonymphs. The intrinsic rate of increase was strongly positive early in an infestation, but declined after 12-20 days and became negative. The major histocompatibility complex of genes (MHC) was directly linked to mite susceptibility, with the B21 haplotype being more prone to a vigorous inflammation response and more resistant to mite population buildup versus the B15 haplotype. This haplotype difference was clearly
shown with specific experiments with inbred hen lines and retrospectively with outbred (commercial) hens on which mite numbers were documented over a 10 week period. Circulating leucocytes increased with decreasing mite numbers late in an infestation, suggesting a superior leucocyte response helped resist mite buildup. Mite-specific antibodies also increased as infestations proceeded. Economic impact studies with mites and lice continued in 2007 relative to host beak condition. Ectoparasites negatively impact egg numbers, egg weight, and feed conversion efficiency, but not necessarily significantly in all trials. The intact beak allows superior grooming by those hens and keeps numbers of both mites and lice far lower than on beak-trimmed hens. Time of beak-trimming (1 week vs 8 weeks) did not have a large impact on numbers of mites or lice relative to presence or absence of trimming.
PARTICIPANTS: Professional development for two graduate students: 1) Dr. Jeb Owen, now at Washington State Univ., did his Ph.D. on mite-hen immune system interactions and 2) Mr. Brian Chen, now in Vet. School at Michigan State Univ., did his M.S. on poutry-ectoparastie interactions. Studies are in collaboration with multiple poultry and animal science scientists and extension people, as follows: 1) Dr. Carol Cardona, School of Vet. Med., UC Davis, 2) Dr. Art Bickford, School of Vet. Med., UC Davis, 3) Mr. Douglas Kuney, Poultry Farm Advisor, Cooperative Extension, UC Davis, 4) Dr. Joy Mench, , 5) Dr.Neil O'Sullivan, Hy-Line International, Dallas Center, Iowa, and 6) Dr. Mary Delaney, Dept. of Animal Science, UC Davis.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences are extension personnel, farmers, and scientists interested in improving animal production.
Impacts
Strong involvement of the hen immune system response, as governed by host genetics, provides a basis for developing breeding strategies for mite-resistant hen strains. Evidence of effectiveness of the intact hen beak for ectoparasite control also may allow development of docile strains that can be kept together (with no pecking damage on cagemates) but still control their ectoparasties. This might allow producers not to use pesticides, or to use them less frequently for ectoparasite control.
Publications
- Chen. B. L. and B. A. Mullens. 2008. Temperature and humidity effects on off-host survival of the northern fowl mite (Acari: Macronyssidae) and the chicken body louse (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae). J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, (NFM) are the worst ectoparasite of caged layer poultry in North America. Other serious pests include the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus, and the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Sampling system development for NFM is ongoing using both hen and egg infestation data. NFM economic impact has been studied in both commercial and university facilities and is continuing. Egg size and feed conversion efficiency, and sometimes hen-day production, are significantly reduced by high infestations. This results in significant economic impact. The body louse was shown to displace NFM on dually-infested hosts over a 5-8 week period, and presence of lice prevents anything beyond transitory establishment of mites. The mechanism(s) are being investigated. Beak condition and cage density interact with hen MHC haplotype to influence mite loads on birds. MHC haplotype affects susceptibility to mite infestation in both congenic
and outbred hen lines. Hens with either intact or trimmed beaks, infested with mites, lice, or nothing, are now being evaluated comprehensively in an economic context to determine if the lower mite loads resulting from successful hen grooming (i.e. intact beaks) are sufficient to prevent economic loss. Hen immune responses to NFM are being described. Key immune cells (lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes) are up-regulated in response to infestation, and there is an inverse relationship between cell number and parasite load, indicating higher cell responses are associated with higher levels of resistance. Tissue inflammation increases the distance mites must probe to reach capillaries, is evident in higher proportions of starving mites, and partially explains the drop in NFM numbers after infestations peak. Influences of temperature and humidity on off-host survival of lice and NFM are being determined. House flies in poultry operations often lack what was thought to be a key pheromone
component, muscalure.
Impacts
Sampling plan development is necessary for producers to detect and treat mite infestations before they get out of control. Mites on eggs reflect numbers on hens and can be used for monitoring. Economic impact studies allow producers to treat only if and when benefits exceed costs. If beak-intact hens can maintain mite or lice populations below an economic threshold, this should stimulate development of docile hen lines and thus reduce or eliminate the need for insecticide treatments for these pests. These data lay groundwork for potential immunity-based control strategies for the northern fowl mite, including development of vaccines, or breeding strategies to enhance inherent resistance properties. Knowledge of the natural role of muscalure in house fly biology may affect its use in baits and traps in the field.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., R. K. Velten, N. C. Hinkle, D. R. Kuney and C. E. Szijj. 2004. Acaricide resistance in northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) populations on caged layer operations in southern California. Poultry Sci. 83: 365-374.
- Darbro, J. M. and B. A. Mullens. 2004. Assessing insecticide resistance and aversion to methomyl-treated toxic baits in Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) populations in southern California, USA. Pest. Mgmt. Sci. 60: 901-908.
- Owen, J. P. and B. A. Mullens. 2004. Influence of Heat and Vibration on the Movement of the Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago)(Acari: Macronyssidae). J. Med. Entomol. 41: 865-872.
- Kilpinen, O. and B. A. Mullens. 2004. Effect of food deprivation on response of the mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, to heat. Med. Vet. Entomol. 18: 368-371.
- Mullens, B. A., C. E. Szijj, and N. C. Hinkle. 2002. Oviposition and Development of Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) on Poultry Manure of Low Moisture Levels. Environ. Entomol. 31: 588-593 .
- Mullens, B. A., D. R. Kuney, N. C. Hinkle, and C. E. Szijj. 2004. Producer attitudes and control practices for northern fowl mites in southern California. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 13: 488-492.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, (NFM) are the worst ectoparasite of caged layer poultry in North America. Other serious pests include the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus, and the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Sampling system development for NFM is ongoing using both hen and egg infestation data. NFM orient and are activated by heat and vibration cues, and this is being studied in detail. Course control seems to be idiothetic (internal control program), as opposed to allothetic (externally guided). Mites that lose a heat cue begin to execute larger turns that ultimately return them to the vicinity of the cue. NFM economic impact has been studied in both commercial and university facilities. Egg size and feed conversion efficiency, and sometimes hen-day production, are significantly reduced by high infestations. This results in significant economic impact. The body louse was shown to displace NFM on dually-infested hosts over a 5-8 week
period, and presence of lice prevents anything beyond transitory establishment of mites. The mechanism(s) are being investigated. Hen immune responses to NFM are being described. Tissue inflammation increases the distance mites must probe to reach capillaries, is evident in higher proportions of starving mites, and partially explains the drop in NFM numbers after infestations peak. Influences of temperature and humidity on off-host survival of lice and NFM are being determined. House flies in poultry operations often lack what was thought to be a key pheromone component, muscalure.
Impacts
Detailed knowledge of mite orientation may allow us to interfere with it for control. Sampling plan development is necessary for producers to detect and treat infestations before they get out of control. Economic impact is necessary to put control efforts into an economic context and allow producers to treat only if and when benefits exceed costs. Knowing how long ectoparasites survive off-host governs how long a chicken house must remain empty to eliminate residual infestations. Knowledge of hen immune system function may be useful in developing mite vaccines. Knowledge of the natural role of muscalure in house fly biology may affect its use in baits and traps in the field.
Publications
- Owen, J. P., B. A. Mullens, R. T. Carde and K. A. Justus. 2005. Evidence for idiothetic course control in thermo-orientation by the northern fowl mite. Physiol. Entomol. 30: 293-302.
- Darbro, J. M, J. G. Millar, J. S. McElfresh and B. A. Mullens. 2005. A survey of muscalure ([Z]-9-tricosene) on house flies from field populations in California. Environ. Entomol. 34: 1418-1425.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, (NFM) are the worst ectoparasite of caged layer poultry in North America. Other serious pests include the chicken body louse, Menacanthus stramineus, and the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Sampling system development for NFM is ongoing using both hen and egg infestation data. NFM orient and are activated by heat and vibration cues, and this is being studied in detail. Course control seems to be idiothetic (internal control program), as opposed to allothetic (externally guided). Mites that lose a heat cue begin to execute larger turns that ultimately return them to the vicinity of the cue. Dermanyssus activate by heat cues as well, but long starvation times result in lower sensitivity to heat-activation. NFM economic impact has been studied in both commercial and university facilities. Egg size and feed conversion efficiency, and sometimes hen-day production, are significantly reduced by high infestations. This results
in significant economic impact.
Impacts
Detailed knowledge of mite orientation may allow us to interfere with it for control. Sampling plan development is necessary for producers to detect and treat infestations before they get out of control. Economic impact is necessary to put control efforts into an economic context and allow producers to treat only if and when benefits exceed costs.
Publications
- Owen, J. P. and B. A. Mullens. 2004. Influence of Heat and Vibration on the Movement of the Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago)(Acari: Macronyssidae). J. Med. Entomol. 41: 865-872.
- Kilpinen, O. and B. A. Mullens. 2005. Effect of food deprivation on response of the mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, to heat. Med. Vet. Entomol. 18: 368-371.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
House flies have been shown to be mostly resistant in the field (dairy and poultry operations) to methomyl fly baits used widely for their control. Bioassays using topical, no-choice feeding, and choice-feeding assays demonstrated that the resistance was largely behavioral. The house fly pheromone muscalure is present in field populations at levels far lower than reported from laboratory colonies. Northern fowl mites are resistant to the common acaricides used for their control, and permethrin resistance is especially severe. Sampling for mites is important to proper and timely chemical control, and a sampling plan based on egg examination is being prepared. Mites activate and orient to hosts based on host-generated cues such as vibration, odors, and heat. The exact nature of this orientation is being prepared for publication. Work is beginning on hen immune responses to mite infestations. Mite economic impact on hens is being evaluated as well.
Impacts
Ubiquitous resistance of house flies to baits reflects overuse of the material in the field, due in part to legislative fiat. This needs to be changed. The behavioral nature of the resistance is interesting and relatively uncommon in demonstrated resistance studies. The relative lack of muscalure in field populations suggests that other mating mechanisms are also very important in these house fly populations and should be explored. Such studies also are relevant to the ubiquitous use of muscalure in fly baits and traps. Extreme mite resistance emphasizes the desperate need for biological studies on the mites. The very detailed studies of mite behavior and orientation are rare for an ectoparasite of vertebrates. Information on mite sampling and host impact are very necessary for determining when and how to treat for mites.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., R. K. Velten, N. C. Hinkle, D. R. Kuney and C. E. Szijj. 2004. Acaricide resistance in northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) populations on caged layer operations in southern California. Poultry Sci. (in press).
- Mullens, B. A., D. R. Kuney, N. C. Hinkle, and C. E. Szijj. 2004. Producer attitudes and control practices for northern fowl mites in southern California. J. Appl. Poultry Res. (in press).
- Darbro, J. M. and B. A. Mullens. 2004. Assessing insecticide resistance and aversion to methomyl-treated toxic baits in Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) populations in southern California, USA. Pest. Mgmt. Sci. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Results of a study of Fannia spp. tolerance of low moisture were published. Larvae were unusually tolerant of low moisture (down to 40% water) chicken manure for development, particularly if they were third instars. Results of a survey of house fly, Musca domestica, resistance to toxic baits are about ready for publication. Field populations are almost completely resistant to methomyl baits, and this resistance has a major behavioral component. Northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, respond to heat cues, vibration, and chemical residues left behind by resting mites. They also are ubiquitous in southern California caged layer production and resistant to pesticides used in the field, and this is ready for submission for publication. Studies of sampling plan development and economic impact of mites are ongoing.
Impacts
Fannia spp. probably cannot be controlled using the same moisture reduction techniques that work for Musca. While some Fannia oviposition deterrence occurs due to low moisture, larvae can still develop. The advantage of the dry manure pad for control is probably due to enhanced fly natural enemy activity. House flies in caged layer facilities are quite resistant to toxic baits containing methomyl. The requirements for their continued use should be removed. Northern fowl mites are ubiquitous in the industry and are seriously resistant to pesticides, especially permethrin. We will lose mite pesticides soon due to resistance and the Food Quality Protection Act. Integrated management strategies for mites are desperately needed.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., C. E. Szijj, and N. C. Hinkle. 2002. Oviposition and Development of Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) on Poultry Manure of Low Moisture Levels. Environ. Entomol. 31: 588-593.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Recent poultry studies have focused on ectoparasites (northern fowl mite, body louse)and house fly resistance to toxic baits. Northern fowl mites employ taxis (not kinesis) to orient to heat cues at close range. Their orientation behavior was studied in detail by analysis of digitized video and use of circular statistics. Mite fecal deposits and feather extracts also contain materials used by mites in orientation and/or arrestment. House flies in the field are very resistant to toxic baits used for their control. Choice tests, no-choice tests and topical bioassays demonstrate the resistance has a behavioral component. Current studies examine production effects (body weight, egg number and weight, feed consumption) of northern fowl mites. We also are obtaining information on establishment and spread of parasites within a house and on interactions between lice and mites.
Impacts
Mites can and do spread among hens even without direct contact. Off-host survival and dispersal is important to consider in a management plan. Host orientation cues might yield clues to managing mites. Knowledge of fly resistance should influence existing regulations regarding continuous bait station use and yield clues to possible altered bait formulations.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., N. C. Hinkle, L. Robinson and C. E. Szijj. 2001. Dispersal of northern fowl mites in an experimental poultry house. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 10: 60-64.
- Mullens, B. A., N. C. Hinkle, D. R. Kuney and C. E. Szijj. 2001. Manure management and predator conservation affect fly control in caged-layer poultry systems. Calif. Agr. 55: 26-30.
- Mullens, B. A., A. C. Gerry and R. K. Velten. 2001. Failure of a Permethrin Treatment Regime to Protect Cattle Against Bluetongue. J. Med. Entomol. 38: 760-762.
- Kalsbeek, V. B. A. Mullens and J. B. Jespersen. 2001. Field studies of Entomophthora (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales)-induced behavioral fever in Musca domestica (Diptera:Muscidae) in Denmark. Biol. Cont. 21: 264-273.
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Progress 01/02/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
A study on dispersal of mites, ORNITHONYSSUS SYLVIARUM, in an experimental poultry house indicated that dispersing mites tended to stop at the first hen they encountered. They generally spread to an adjacent hen (separated by an open cage) only after they reproduced to moderate-to-high densities (10-21 days). Within 2-3 months they had spread to all hens in the house. This shows they can spread without direct hen-to-hen contact. Work is beginning on mite orientation to potential host factors. Initial emphasis is on heat, to which they definitely respond, with secondary emphasis on host odors. House fly, MUSCA DOMESTICA, resistance to toxic baits on poultry ranches is significant, and studies are underway to document and determine the basis of this resistance.
Impacts
Mites can and do spread among hens even without direct contact. Off-host survival and dispersal is important to consider in a management plan. Host orientation cues might yield clues to managing mites. Knowledge of fly resistance should influence existing regulations regarding continuous bait station use and yield clues to possible altered bait formulations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Studies on FANNIA CANICULARIS and FANNIA FEMORALIS response to poultry manure moisture were completed. Larvae of both species are remarkably tolerant of dry manure conditions (down to 40% moisture). Neonate larvae are more susceptible to drying than last instar larvae, and F. FEMORALIS needs slightly moister conditions than does F. CANICULARIS. For oviposition, adult female F. CANICULARIS prefer manure moisture >55%, and F. FEMORALIS prefer moisture >65%. Thus, it is sometimes possible for producers to achieve in-house manure moisture dry enough to deter oviposition between fall and spring, but even in southern California this would depend on relatively warm, dry weather and excellent air flow. However, it is unlikely that in-house manure would ever get dry enough to substantially reduce FANNIA larval survival, once they are present. Work is continuing on potential habitat segregation in the field and laboratory between the 2 species. Initial studies were completed on
ORNITHONYSSUS SYLVIARUM, the northern fowl mite. At one caged-layer ranch with chronic mite problems, mites were very common on eggs, and the producer sprayed acaricides based on mite presence on eggs. A new sequential sampling plan for hens worked well and required about 1 minute/hen. There was a relationship between mites on hens and mites on eggs, and we are now developing this into an egg-based sampling plan. Another study on dispersal of mites in an experimental poultry house indicated that dispersing mites tended to stop at the first hen they encounter. They generally spread to an adjacent hen (separated by an open cage) only after they reproduced to moderate-to-high densities (10-21 days). Within 2-3 months they had spread to all hens in the house. This shows they can spread without direct hen-to-hen contact. The pattern suggests they do this by walking, but dispersal may be influenced by movement on rodents and wild birds. Work is beginning on mite orientation to potential
host factors (e.g. heat, odors).
Impacts
In-house manure drying may not work well for control of FANNIA spp. except under unusually warm, dry conditions and adequate natural enemy populations. Sampling eggs for northern fowl mites may be a workable procedure to detect moderate to high infestations. Mites can and do spread among hens even without direct contact.
Publications
- Mullens, B. A., N. C. Hinkle, and C. J. Szijj. 2000. Monitoring northern fowl mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) in caged-laying hens: feasibility of an egg-based sampling system. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/01/98
Outputs
Recent emphasis has been on FANNIA CANICULARIS AND FANNIA FEMORALIS tolerance for poultry manure moisture levels. F. CANICULARIS oviposits equally on manure of 55 and 65% moisture, whereas F. FEMORALIS thus far prefers 65% moisture. First instars of both species are unable to mature at levels of 37% moisture, but can mature above 40%. Flies emerge later and are smaller at lower moisture levels, however. Third instar F. CANICULARIS can finish development at 33% moisture. These flies are far more tolerant of dry conditions than is MUSCA DOMESTICA. In-house or on-pad drying may reduce oviposition, but is unlikely to kill developing larvae, particularly the late instars.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MULLENS, B. A., N. C. HINKLE and C. E. SZIJJ. 1996. The role of the poultry manure pad in manure drying and its potential relationship to filth fly control. J. Agric. Entomol. 13: 331-337.
- MULLENS, B. A., N. C. HINKLE and C. E. SZIJJ. 1996. Impact of alternating manure removal schedules on pest flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and associated predators (Coleoptera: Histeridae, Staphylinidae; Acarina: Macrochelidae) in caged-layer.
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Progress 08/01/92 to 09/01/97
Outputs
A multi-year experiment was conducted on 4 caged-layer ranches to determine whether cleaning out accumulated manure in stages (alternate row cleanout) conferred advantages for fly control relative to the normal process of cleaning out the manure simultaneously. Predator taxa (particularly CARCINOPS and MACROCHELES) were drastically reduced by cleanout (often by over 90%), even when a dry base pad was left. Cleanouts resulted in resurgence of MUSCA DOMESTICA and FANNIA CANICULARIS for 1-2 months after cleanout. Late summer and fall was the worst time to clean out in terms of causing MUSCA problems, while mid-spring was worst for FANNIA. Predators did not disperse readily into new manure deposits from older deposits only 1 meter away. If new and old deposits actually were touching, MACROCHELES would disperse into new deposits better. The role of the dry base pad was not to absorb moisture, as was thought, but instead to elevate the manure for enhanced drying. The pad
also harbored small initial predator numbers which were important for later predator population growth. Studies on northern fowl mites indicated that mites do move onto eggs when mite numbers on hens are moderate to high. Mites on eggs are a good indicator of where mites are worst in the houses and eggs probably can be sampled if a moderate mite action threshold is acceptable. Mite numbers on hens at the test house declined after a RaVap spray far less than declines on eggs. Sentinel hens held individually in cages supported substantially higher numbers of mites than did hens held in groups.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MULLENS, B. A., N. C. HINKLE and C. E. SZIJJ. 1996. The role of the poultry manure pad in manure drying and its potential relationship to filth fly control. J. Agric. Entomol. 13: 331-337.
- MULLENS, B. A., N. C. HINKLE and C. E. SZIJJ. 1996. Impact of alternating manure removal schedules on pest flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and associated predators (Coleoptera: Histeridae, Staphylinidae; Acarina: Macrochelidae) in caged-layer.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Northern fowl mites are being monitored on two flocks of caged-layer hens and their eggs. Direct hen examination takes fifteen to twenty minutes/house to reach a treatment decision at high or low infestation levels, while assessing mites on one hundred eggs takes thirty percent of that time. Mites on eggs appear to reflect general house infestation levels, at least at moderate to high hen infestation levels. Acaricide treatments often do not eliminate mites on hens, but cage residues kill dispersing mites and thereby prevent them from getting on eggs. Mites are capable of moving forty centimeters in two minutes. Dispersal studies in an experimental house are underway. Mites appear to stop dispersing when they reach a hen, and do not disperse further until they have reproduced and increased population densities.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MULLENS, B. A., HINKLE, N. C. and SZIJJ, C. E. 1996. Impact of alternating manure removal schedules on pest flies (Diptera: Muscidae) and associated predators (Coleoptera: Histeridae, Staphylinidae; Acarina: Macrochelidae) in caged-layer.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
A study to determine the effects of alternate row removal of manure on filth flies and their predators was completed. MUSCA and FANNIA spp. larvae and adults and key predators (MACROCHELES, CARCINOPS, histerids, staphylinids) were monitored for 2 years on 3 California caged-layer poultry ranches. In each manure cleanout cycle, all rows were removed initially in normal houses (Norm), while half of the manure was left undisturbed in alternate houses (Alt). Remaining manure was removed in Alt houses after 1 month. Fauna was sampled before and 1 week, 4 weeks (before secondary removal in Alt houses), and 8 weeks after initial removal (4 weeks after secondary removal in Alt houses). Cleanout decreased key predator taxa after 1 week and increased pest flies for 1-2 months. Undisturbed manure within the poultry houses did not improve numbers of predaceous Coleoptera in disturbed manure relative to Norm houses. MACROCHELES in disturbed manure were higher when undisturbed
manure was adjacent. Pest flies were not reduced in Alt houses relative to Norm houses. Another study involves northern fowl mite sampling, relating parasite loads to mites on eggs and estimated to actual mite numbers on hens.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications for this reporting period.
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
A project began in July 1993 to evaluate the effect of both flies and natural enemies of staggered manure cleanout versus simultaneous cleanout. Twenty caged layer houses on four ranches are involved in the test. Entire houses are either cleaned completely (leaving a pad of dry manure) or alternate rows of manure are removed, with the remainder removed 4 weeks later. Over two years we will monitor manure for emerging flies and predaceous arthropods to determine whether adjacent, older manure speeds colonization of newly cleaned area by fly predators. It is too early to tell whether residual manure actually speeds recolonization by predators. The pad of dry manure left at cleanout improves fly control but does not dry the fresh manure through wicking action or increasing surface area. It also harbors very few natural enemies immediately after cleanout, but may enhance attractiveness for recolonization by fly predators. The mechanism for improved fly control appears to
be height and increased air flow, resulting in drier manure and less fly oviposition.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
A project began in July 1993 to evaluate the effect on both flies and natural enemies of staggered manure cleanout versus simultaneous cleanout. Twenty caged layer houses on four ranches are involved in the test. Entire houses are either cleaned completely (leaving a pad of dry manure) or alternate rows of manure are removed, with the remainder removed 4 weeks later. Over two years we will monitor manure for emerging flies and predaceous arthropods to determine whether adjacent, older manure speeds colonization of newly cleaned areas by fly predators. The second project deals with tests of BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS TENEBRIONIS against the lesser mealworm, ALPHITOBIUS DIAPERINUS. Younger larvae are susceptible, but older larvae, and especially adults, are not killed. Another bacterial pathogen of flies, a new strain of B. THURINGIENSIS, was screened against adults of FANNIA CANICULARIS AND MUSCA DOMESTICA. FANNIA appear to be less susceptible, but were killed at high
levels. Adult bait stations incorporating this bacterium are a possibility.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WATSON, D. W., MULLENS, B. A., and PETERSEN, J. J. 1993. Behavioral fever response of MUSCA DOMESTICA (Diptera: Muscidae) to infection by ENTOMOPHTHORA MUSCAE (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). J. Invert. Pathol. 61: 10-16.
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Progress 07/01/88 to 07/30/92
Outputs
Biological control of house flies (MUSCA DOMESTICA) and little house flies (FANNIA CANICULARIS) received major emphasis in this period. The fly fungus ENTOMOPHTHORA MUSCAE was shown to exist in several morphologically similar, host-specific forms. Secondary spores are 100 times as infective as the primary spores. Predaceous beetles, mites, and parasitic wasps are affected by fly larvicide treatments of manure in the field, with the beetles most severely affected. The most abundant predators in the fly oviposition zone (fresh manure) were CARCINOPS PUMILIO and MACROCHELES MUSCAEDOMESTICAE. The wasp MUSCIDIFURAX ZARAPTOR has an innate preference for MUSCA over FANNIA in choice tests, but host acceptance is altered by ovipositional experience in the laboratory. Pteromalid wasps in the field displayed little host preference when presented with both FANNIA and MUSCA, but did alter sex ratio in accordance with theory when presented with hosts of different sizes. FANNIA spp.
are severely impacted by temperature above 27 degrees C. The exotoxin of BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS was highly effective against house flies and northern fowl mites, but had no effect on FANNIA spp. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS TENEBRIONIS shows promise against lesser mealworm beetles. Borate-sugar mixtures cause adult fly mortality and severely inhibit egg hatch for a period of time after ingestion by adults.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MULLENS, B.A., MCKEEN, W.D., RODRIGUEZ, J.L. and MANDEVILLE, J.D. 1988. Evaluation of ABG-6208 (Thuringiensin) for control of northern fowl mite, 1987. Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 13:405.
- MULLENS, B.A., WILLS, L.E. and RODRIGUEZ, J.L. 1988. Field evaluation of ABG-6162A (Thuringiensin) as a fly larvicide, 1986. Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 13:408-409.
- MULLENS, B.A. and RODRIGUEZ, J.L. 1988. Laboratory evaluation of ABG-6162A (Thuringiensin) as a fly larvicide, 1986. Insecticide and Acaricide Tests 13:417.
- WILLS, L.E., MULLENS, B.A. and MANDEVILLE, J.D. 1990. Effects of pesticides on filth fly predators (Coleoptera: Histeridae, Staphylinidae; Acarina: Macrochelidae, Uropodidae) in caged layer poultry manure. J. Econ. Entomol. 83:451-457.
- MANDEVILLE, J.D., MULLENS, B.A. and YU, D.S. 1990. Impact of selected pesticides on field population dynamics of parasitic Hymenoptera (Pteromalidae) in caged-layer poultry manure in southern California, U.S.A. Med. Vet. Entomol. 4:261-268.
- MANDEVILLE, J.D. and MULLENS, B.A. 1990. Host preference and learning in MUSCIDIFURAX ZARAPTOR (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 83:1203-1209.
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
A project on disodium octaborate tetrahydrate effects on muscoid fly adults was completed and is in press in the J. Econ. Entomol. Adult flies were killed by borate/sugar mixtures fed to them, but rejected food with acutely toxic levels when given a choice with sugar alone. Sugar with lesser amounts of borate (1 percent and 2 percent) was readily accepted and resulted in embryonic death in eggs laid by these females. Residual effects lasted at least 3 days when adults were then given untreated food. Females laid fewer eggs on manure treated with borate than on untreated manure, and fertile eggs (from untreated females) placed on treated manure did not hatch. Studies on a fungal pathogen of house flies, ENTOMOPHTHORA MUSCAE, were conducted. A new strain of the fungus (present in the area but not in that host) was introduced briefly into house fly populations in the field but did not persist. Work is being started on a new BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS subspecies with
activity against lesser mealworm, a serious pest in poultry houses.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
The primary effort on this project over the past year has been to 1) conclude studies on borate toxicity to adult flies (MUSCA DOMESTICA), 2) conclude studies on lethal limits of high temperatures as they vary with exposure time with M. DOMESTICA and FANNIA CANICULARIS and 3) continue and expand studies on the fungal fly pathogen ENTOMOPHTHORA MUSCAE. Sugar baits with boron offer a new approach to control of adult flies due to direct toxicity and egg sterility. Levels of 1 percent and 2 percent disodium octaborate tetrahydrate killed 80-90 percent of adult flies in 7-8 days, but caused significant embryonic death in eggs laid by those flies after one day. Fly species differed in temperature tolerance; F. CANICULARIS probably is controllable by increasing manure temperatures above 32-35 degrees C in the field. The fungus E. MUSCAE consists of different strains which differ in infectivity, temperature tolerance, and incubation period. Attempts are being made to introduce
an alternate strain of the fungus into M. DOMESTICA this fall in the field, to explore the role of cuticular lipids in host penetration, and to document the dispersal distance of E. MUSCAE spores.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
Work is on three new subprojects: 1) determination of upper lethal temperature-time relationships for Musca domestica and Fannia canicularis, 2) comparative studies of a California (CA) and Danish (DA) strain of Entomophthora muscae, a fungal pathogen of flies, and 3) laboratory and field studies on borates as fly larvicides, adulticides, and sterilants. Thus far eggs are more high temperature-sensitive than pupae, which are more sensitive than larvae. Embryo age is critical, and Fannia is more sensitive than Musca. The time-mortality data are sometimes nonlinear, suggesting that a portion of the population may be more tolerant - probably key to withstanding periodic high temperatures in the field. The secondary conidia of the California E. muscae strain are 100-200X as infective as primary conidia for Musca, and incubation period is inversely related to dose for secondaries, but not primaries, of the CA and DA strains. This fits well with earlier field studies that
suggested discharge of secondary conidia from surfaces is critical to field transmission of E. muscae. Borates had not been critically examined for fly control since the 1940s. Laboratory trials show they are effective adulticides but that flies are repelled by lethal doses in a sugar mixture, if given a choice. They readily accept sublethal doses, which are fairly effective sterilants, reducing egg hatch by 50%+. Larvicide trials suggest rates less than the labelled level may give effective field control.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MULLENS, B.A. 1989. Cross-transmission of Entomophthora muscae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) among naturally infected muscoid fly (Diptera: Muscidae) hosts. J. Invert. Pathol. 53: 272-275.
- WILLS, L.E., MULLENS, B.A. and MANDEVILLE, J.D. 1990. Effects of pesticides on filth fly predators (Coleoptera: Histeridae, Staphylinidae; Acarina: Macrochelidae, Uropodidae) in caged layer poultry manure. J. Econ. Entomol. 83: In press.
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Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88
Outputs
Research emphasis the past year has been on biological control agents of pest flies. The fungal pathogen Entomophthora muscae exists as multiple strains and perhaps sibling species, and comparative studies are being done with a California and a Danish strain (infectivity, temperature tolerances, etc.). A large-scale study of pesticide effects on poultry fly predators and parasites was completed. Whole-house manure treatment over a restricted time (8 days) with dimethoate was very detrimental to predatory beetles, moderately detrimental to predaceous mites, and had minor short-term impact on pupal parasites. Permethrin applied to the hens resulted in slight reductions of most predator taxa, while cyromazine and dimethoate spot-treatment did not reduce beneficial arthropods. Work has just begun to determine toxicity of boric acid to immature and adult Musca domestica and Fannia canicularis. This information eventually will be applicable for adult baits or larvicidal
treatments.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- MANDEVILLE, J.D., MULLENS, B.A. and MEYER, J.A. (1988). Rearing and host age suitability of Fannia canicularis (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) for parasitization by Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogen and Legner (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Can. Entomol.
- MEYER, J.A. and MULLENS, B.A. (1988). Development of immature Fannia spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) at constant laboratory temperatures. J. Med. Entomol. 25: 165-171.
- MULLENS, B.A. (1989). Cross-transmission of Entomophthora muscae (Zygomycetes: Entomoph-thoraceae) among naturally infected muscoid fly Diptera: Muscidae) hosts. J. Invert. Pathol. (In press).
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