Filth Fly Parasitoid Ecology 

Pupal parasitoids are commercially available and often sold together to control house flies Musca domestica L. and stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), two pests of medical and veterinary importance.  Although releases of pteromalid parasitoids as biological control agents for the control of pest muscoid flies associated with livestock has become more common in recent years their effectiveness has been variable. Inconsistent fly control using pteromalid pupal parasitoids may result partially from an incomplete understanding of their host-seeking behavior.  

Understanding the host-seeking behavior of common parasitoids, and inter- and intraspecific competitive behaviors could increase the effectiveness of augmentative biological control programs by improving release and monitoring techniques. 

We are continuing to evaluate various factors associated with the ecology of these filth fly parasitoids.