Activity of Parasites from Diptera: Musca domestica, Stomoxys calcitrans, Fannia canicularis, and F. femoralis, at Sites in the Western Hemisphere1

Abstract

The role of parasitization as a natural mortality of Musca domestica L., Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), Fannia canicularis (L.), and F. femoralis Stein is discussed. Its fly reduction potential is emphasized, although any role in population regulation admittedly is unknown. The activity of 14 larval and pupal parasites of these hosts at diverse collection sites in the Western Hemisphere is noted as percent parasitization, the number of sites at which the parasite was active and the mean host pupal density sampled at those sites. Measures taken to improve biological control of house flies in southern California are noted.