Basic studies for an integrated management of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to evaluate some control methods for the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) in order to establish integrated management of this pest. The work was carried out in the plantation "Palmas del Casanare", Municipio de Villanueva, Casanare; with an altitude of 400 masl, average annual precipitation of 2,000 mm, the relative humidity of 85%, and a temperature between 22 and 26°C. The popu­lation behavior of S. calcitrans in the time was analyzed without finding any effect of cli­matic factors like precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity. The efficiency of dif­ferent traps to catch adults was also evalu­ated, and the blue adherent traps gave a repre­sentative sample of the fluctuation of the population. The preference of S. calcitrans for beds of fiber and empty bunches of oil palm and some of their modifications were studied, finding that the empty bunches have the best acceptance for oviposition and larval develop­ment of the insect, but this preference is decreased greatly when they have lower con­tents of residual oil. Finally, the efficiency of biologic control for the stable fly by Spalangia spp.was determined, finding that the parasit­ism was always present through the time.