An evaluation of (Z)-9-tricosene and food odours for attracting house flies, Musca domestica, to baited targets in deep-pit poultry units

Abstract

Field trials investigating the effect of food baits on catches of Musca domestica at toxic targets impregnated with the female sex pheromone, (Z)-9-tricosene, were conducted in a caged-layer deep-pit poultry unit in southern England. Targets treated with an Alfacron-sugar mixture and baited with 2.5 g of 40% (Z)-9-tricosene beads caught significantly greater numbers of both male and female M. domestica than control targets. Egg and milk-baited targets were less attractive than controls, while brewers yeast slightly increased the numbers of M. domestica attracted. However, the inclusion of brewers yeast in (Z)-9-tricosene-impregnated targets produced a significant reduction in the number of male M. domestica attracted. Increased female attraction was elicited by baiting the targets with 2-phenylethanol, at the quantities of 1 mg and 10 mg. However, 2-phenylethanol had no effect on female attraction when presented in conjunction with (Z)-9-tricosene. The implications of these results in relation to the control of M. domestica populations in poultry units are discussed.