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 inLivestock IndustriesPD:Dangshang Liang Institution:Apex Bait Technologies Inc.The goal of this USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I project is to develop Apex-FLB (Fly Liquid Bait) aninexpensive and highly effective liquid bait matrix to attract and kill stable flies (Stomoxyscalcitrans) in livestock production systems while remaining safe for non-target organisms. Thestable fly is one of the most damaging pests afflicting livestock animals in the USA and aroundthe world. The USA as the largest producer of beef (>12 million tons/yr.) and cow milk (>99million tons/yr.) in the world suffers an estimated annual loss of $402 million in dairy and $2.01billion in the beef industries in the absence of an effective stable fly control solution. In additionexotic zoo animals wild animals and humans also suffer from stable fly bites extending thescope of the problem and the market opportunity for an effective stable fly control solution.Current methods employed for stable fly management are limited primarily focused on sanitationinsecticide treatment and trap deployment. The development of resistance against commonlyused chemical insecticides environmental concerns and failure of vacuum fly traps in controllingstable flies has created an urgent need for novel effective and environmentally safe stable flycontrol technologies. Apex Bait Technologies Inc. will develop a novel blood substitute liquidbait (Apex-FLB) with unique attractants phagostimulants and a chemical insecticide that willensure the attraction and direct consumption of toxicants by stable flies causing completemortality and avoiding resistance development. The objective of this Phase I project is toformulate and optimize the efficiency of the liquid bait in semi-field and field trials. In Phase Iresearch we will gather extensive data on the effectiveness of Apex-FLB formulation in stable flycontrol under diverse environments. The development of Apex-FLB attract and kill liquid baitmatrix will build on recent breakthroughs achieved by Apex Bait Technologies in thedevelopment of a blood substitute liquid bait matrix and on decade-long experience in thedevelopment and commercialization of bait matrices for urban and veterinary pests.