Inverse Relationships Between Mass of Breeding Habitat and Synanthropic Fly Emergence and the Measurement of Population Densities with Sticky Tapes in California Inland Valleys

Abstract

A significantly lower emergence of 5 synanthropic fly species was correlated with increasing masses of poultry manure breeding habitat in the San Bernardino Valley of California during a 13-month study. Greater habitat stability was associated with the decreases in fly abundance which was attributed to the combined action of physicochemical effects with increased populations of scavenger, predatory, and parasitic arthropods. A minimum manure depth of 8—12 inches (20—30.5 cm) is suggested for optimum fly reduction. Four sticky tapes suspended in the approximate center of ranches at 3-week intervals appeared to provide a reliable estimate of fly population trends. However, estimates could be improved feasibly by increasing this modest sample size.