Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus 1758), host blood meal identifications from an exotic wildlife park in Texas

Monday, November 14, 2022

11:54 AM – 12:06 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 203

Presenting Author(s)

LB

Lauren Beebe

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Co-Author(s)

Pia Olafson

USDA-ARS
Kerrville, Texas
PK

Phillip Kaufman

Professor and Department Head
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus 1758), is an important pest of many animals worldwide, particularly canids and large ungulates, and has been historically difficult to manage. Stable flies are blood-feeding dipterans of African origin that can have serious negative economic effects on agricultural production and wildlife systems during an outbreak. In severe infestations, animal host mortality has been recorded. It is estimated that stable flies are responsible for a $2 billion loss in cattle productivity each year within the United States, as cattle are the primary hosts in agricultural settings. It is unknown how the behavior or feeding patterns of this fly might change when presented with other host options, particularly exotics and those that might be found in its native range. This study will examine stable fly populations at an exotic wildlife park in Bryan, Texas from late spring of 2022 to early spring of 2023. The park is divided into nine sections; three drive-through pastures with various species of birds and hoofed mammals in each, a zebra pasture, four smaller quarantine/holding paddocks, and a walk around zoo area containing a wider variety of animals. From the fly specimens collected, blood fed individuals will be analyzed and host DNA extracted. The results will be compared to an online database like GenBank to make positive host identifications.