Seasonal prevalence of Entomophthora muscae and introduction of Entomophthora schizophorae (Zygomycotina: Entomophthorales) in Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) populations on California dairies

Diana L. Six, Bradley A. Mullens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two entomopathogenic fungi in the Entomophthora muscae species complex that infect house flies were used in this study: E. muscae Fresenius (16-17 nuclei/conidium) occurred naturally at four southern California dairies, while Entomophthora schizophorae Keller and Wilding (4-8 nuclei/conidium) did not. During the first year of the study, onset of measurable E. muscae infections occurred between September and November but varied among sites. At least 20% of the flies at all four dairies were infected by November, and infection at one site exceeded 70%. During the fall epizootic period, infection levels were inversely related to temperature. Average weekly temperatures higher than 17-20°C and maximum daily temperatures higher than 26-28°C were statistically correlated with low infection levels. In the second year, E. schizophorae was introduced by releasing diseased flies at two dairies (four times at one dairy and three times at the other). E. schizophorae was recovered for a brief time in the house fly population after the first two releases at one site but not at the second site.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)315-323
Number of pages9
JournalBiological Control
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1996

Keywords

  • Entomophthora muscae
  • Entomophthora schizophorae
  • Musca domestica
  • biological control
  • entomopathogenic fungi
  • epizootic
  • fungal pathogen
  • house fly

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