Characterization and Seasonal Distribution of Breeding Sites of Stable Flies and House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on Eastern Nebraska Feedlots and Dairies1

Abstract

Sixteen different classes of breeding sites for the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and the house fly, Musca domestica L., were identified through weekly searches, from late May to early October, on four small feedlots, one large feedlot, and one dairy, and single searches of an additional 25 feedlots and three dairies. A total of 526 samples of ca. 100 fly pupae per sample showed fencelines, drainage ditches, and haylage to account for 26.2, 18.4 and 12.9%, respectively, of the total stable fly pupae sampled on small feedlots. Swine manure and haylage were the most frequent and consistent producers of house flies on the small feedlots, accounting for 19.9, and 18.8%, respectively, of the total population sampled. Spilled feed was a consistent breeding site on the large feedlot and accounted for 53.0 and 16.0% of the sampled stable flies and house flies, respectively; stored manure on dairies accounted for 31.7 and 25.3% of the total stable flies and house flies sampled, respectively.