APEX-FLB: A Safe and Inexpensive Formulation for the Control of Stable Fly in Livestock Industries

PROJECT SUMMARYTitle: APEX-FLB: A Safe and Inexpensive Formulation for the Control of Stable Fly in LivestockIndustriesPD:Dangsheng Liang Institution:Apex Bait Technologies Inc.The overall goal of this USDA NIFA SBIR Phase II project is to innovate optimize andcommercialize Apex-FLB (Fly Liquid Bait) developed under Phase I research. Apex-FLB is aninexpensive and highly effective liquid bait that attracts and kills stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) inlivestock production systems while remaining safe for non-target organisms. The stable fly is one ofthe most damaging pests afflicting livestock animals in the United States and around the world. TheU.S. is the largest producer of beef (>12 million tons/yr.) and cow milk (>99 million tons/yr.) in theworld and therefore suffers an estimated annual loss of $2.01 billion in the beef industries and $402million in the dairy industry. In addition swine equine poultry industries exotic zoo animals andhumans also suffer from stable fly bites extending the scope of the problem and the marketopportunity for an effective stable fly control solution.Current methods employed for stable fly management are limited and primarily focused onsanitation insecticide treatment and trap deployment. Chemical insecticide application is the mostused stable fly control method in livestock industries followed by trap deployments. An estimated 10- 12 million pounds of pesticides were used in livestock for pest control at a expense of $60 million(based on a 1994 study) without accounting for the cost of environmental damages. However thedevelopment of resistance against commonly used chemical insecticides along with environmentalconcerns and the failure of vacuum fly traps in controlling stable flies has created an urgent need fornovel effective and environmentally safe stable fly control technologies.Apex Bait Technologies Inc. has developed a novel blood substitute fly liquid bait (Apex- FLB) with unique attractants phagostimulants and a chemical insecticide that ensures the attractionand direct consumption of toxicants by stable flies causing complete mortality and avoids resistancedevelopment. Our prototype Apex-FLB has demonstrated lab and field effectiveness by causing morethan 90% stable fly mortality within two days. The objectives of this Phase II project are to innovateand optimize the prototype Apex-FLB developed in Phase I research for cost-effectivenessenvironmental stability efficacy and efficiency. In Phase II research we anticipate achieving the mosteconomical version of Apex-FLB that will have a shelf life of more than 2 years and a field life ofapproximately 30 days. We expect the commercial version of Apex-FLB to effectively control stableflies under diverse environments. The commercialization of Apex-FLB will provide livestockproducers with a superior stable fly control tool compared to existing fly treatments. This will lead toefficient livestock production and protection with minimal environmental impact which is one of themain goals of the SBIR. Overall the development and commercialization of Apex-FLB will build onApex Bait Technologies' decades-long experience in developing and commercializing baits for urbanand veterinary pests.