Semiochemical Management Tactics for Filth Flies in Animal Production

Filth flies pose a major threat to public and animal health throughout the world. Recent findings that house fly can effectively thwart biosecurity measures and vector animal viral diseases between farms and farm animals, coupled with more complete documentation of their capability to transmit bacterial diseases has increased our awareness of the threat they pose as agents of disease spread through `natural' or deliberate (bio-warfare errorist) action. House flies can vector turkey coronavirus, porcine gastroenteritis, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and Newcastle Disease Virus. There is a relationship between fly density and efficiency of viral transmission. The incidence of filth fly-borne diseases can be partially reduced through a range of techniques from sanitation to toxic baits and by application of growth regulators and insecticides. With over 3 million children dying every year because of filth fly diseases, any additional control technique developed for agricultural uses will have a potential to save lives. IPM Development Company will produce prototype enhanced lures, traps, and killing stations for control of filth breeding flies.