N E W S L E T T E R

DID YOU KNOW...

New research finds that if a Fruit fly senses the odor

of a rotting banana, it does everything it can to get to the

location of that food source. The process includes beating

its wings faster as well as over-riding its normally random

flight navigation with a more direct flight approach.

Researchers have determined Fruit flies are attracted to beer due to the detection

of glycerol (a sweet-tasting compound that yeasts produce

in fermentation).

If a House fly is threatened by a shortage of food, moisture,

or cold temperatures, it can temporarily shut its bodily

processes down. This is a process similar to hibernation

known as diapause.

They come by air, land, and filth flagrantly violating our public health laws. These flying infections criminally move pathogens from filth to food.

They vector diseases such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, tuberculosis, and intestinal-worms. Spotting is produced when feeding and defecating. These law-breakers each produce 16 to 31 spots in 24 hours. They harbor up to 6 million external bacteria and 25 million internal bacteria.

These flying felons are House flies, Musca domestica. Adults are 6 - 8 mm long. The thorax is grey with four longitudinal dark-stripes. The fourth vein on the wing bends forward (almost reaching the third vein). The sides of the abdomen are yellowish. Larvae undergo three molts, increasing in size and changing color from white to cream. Pupae are about 6 mm long and may be yellow, brown, or black.

Adult perpetrators live 1-3 months depending upon temperature. Females become sexually mature 1-2 days after emergence. Eggs (400-750 per lifetime) are placed, after copulation, in moist, fermenting, or putrefying materials.

Larvae seek a hideout from light, burrowing into food material and seeking zones of high temperature (45-50°C). Upon maturity, larvae seek a cooler environment (for example in soil). Larvae may travel distances, and become an offensive inclusion within commodities.

Adult fly suspects may travel or can be blown up to 20 miles. Attracted by odors, food requirements for adults are mainly carbohydrates. Stolen in liquid form, nutrients are dissolved by regurgitated digestive juices.

Arresting these suspects before public heath crimes are committed involves good hygiene to limit food sources and breeding sites. Refuse should be stored in tightly sealed containers. Fly screens and exclusion methods should be utilized.

UVA light traps (ILTs and EFKs) should be installed where appropriate. Flytraps with a bait attractant are useful in dealing with focal pressures. Properly labeled insecticides may be used depending upon the scope and site of lawless infestations.

Most Wanted: Flies By Dr. stuart Mitchell

House flie (Musca domestica)

I s s U e 1 3

IN THIS ISSUE • Most Wanted: Flies• Most Wanted: Ants

• Fly Aggression and Human Anger

PESTWEST 411

tramp ant species are perpetrators of structural invasions. over 40 tramp ant species are held as infesting suspects. individual species have individual modus operandi (behavioral attributes as well as preferred nesting and food preferences).

Arresting ant infestations can be a challenge, but with some good detective work, not at all impossible.

• Inspect to detect conducive conditions, foraging trails, and ant colonies. Be critical of structural guideline orientations (utility lines, cracks, walls, fences, etc.).

• Identify to detect the ant species. Species biology and behavior will assist in apprehending infestations.

• Counsel the client to detect and correct structural deficiencies to prevent further structural invasions (cultural control).

• Apply appropriately labeled insecticides and non-chemical controls (physical, mechanical, and biorational) to detected infestations. Non-chemical controls include exclusion materials like caulk, correcting moisture intrusion deficiencies, and elimination of vegetation and debris near or in-contact with the structure.

• Follow-up to detect modifications to the control program as well as any new pest suspects. Good detective work ensures perpetual client satisfaction.

Seasonal attribution of suspect ant pests includes the following:

• Spring: suspect ants seek protein for brood development.• Summer: suspect ants forage for honeydew (located on plants

and ornamentals).• Fall: honeydew-producing insect populations diminish.

Aqueous carbohydrate baits become an effective substitute for honeydew feeding ant intruders.

• Winter: indoor ant species infestations during cold weather indicate a colony within the heated structural environment. Determine what ants are feeding upon, but nutritionally balanced baits (carbohydrates and proteins) will generally be quite effective at arresting these notorious insect pests.

Most Wanted: ants By Dr. stuart Mitchell

Biologists have begun to research whether flies can get angry. this research is part of a wider-scope study on how animal behavior is genetically related.

Do flies get angry? That is the key question, and possibly illustrates a fly's repeated and increasingly tenacious return to your food plate after your every attempt to move it away. To study this question, researchers crafted an experiment using Drosophila (Fruit flies).

To promote the sought behavioral response, biologists designed a micro air pressure device. The concept was to place a food attractant at one point and then blow the flies away from the food upon approach. Upon repeated and unsuccesful food approaches by flies, biologists measured whether or not the flies became more and more agitated from the experience.

Results indicated that the flies did not have a need for the food. The singular act of blowing the flies and disrupting their orientation caused measurable agitation. This indicated to biologists that food stimulation was not neccessary to the research.

Primative, emotional-type behavior was exhibited by flies. A series of micro air pressure disruptions prompted such responses. Flies moved frantically within a test containor for a prolonged period of time. Even after flies calmed-down, they were hypersensitive to micro air bursts. Drosophila assume a reserved posture and stop moving in response to a steady wind pressure. This may be a sensory tool that enhances the way insects navigate in flight.

Drosophila reseach demonstrated that a pheromone (a chemical messenger) promotes agression. In addition, aggression is linked to specific neurons in the fly's antennae. The findings lead biologists to believe there may be a relationship between the neurotransmitter dopamine and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A Drosophilan brain contains some 20,000 neurons, and has been a viable system to study the genetic basis of memory, learning, and circadian rhythms.

Drosophila have been a potent tool to study emotions. Humans and Fruit flies share many of the same genes and neurons that produce brain chemicals associated with psychiatric disorders.

Fly aggression & HuMan anger By Dr. stuart Mitchell

PoPs uP quick,knocks down fasT

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