Search Results (104)

Botanical insecticides containing a mixture of plant essential oils (EOs) are considered suitable for the management of houseflies (M. domestica). The adulticidal efficacies of single EOs and mixtures of EOs, including lemongrass (C. citratus), star anise (I. verum), nutmeg (M. fragrans), and their components (geranial, trans-anethole, and α-pinene), against houseflies were determined in comparison to 2% (w/v) α-cypermethrin as the positive control and distilled water as the negative control. The mixture of star anise EO (1%) + geranial (1%) was the most effective adulticide, superseding single EOs, other combinations of EOs, and its active component, α-cypermethrin, and distilled water. This mixture was highly synergistic and was found to be over 74% more toxic than all single EOs and almost 2.6 times more toxic than α-cypermethrin. Furthermore, the tested EOs did not cause mortality in guppies (P. reticulata) or earthworms (E. fetida), and caused a maximum of 48% mortality in honeybees (A. mellifera) at 24 h; by contrast, α-cypermethrin led to 100% mortality in honeybees within 0.5 h and in guppies and earthworms within 24 h, although it had low toxicity toward houseflies. Thus, a mixture of star anise EO + geranial is a promising source of EO-derived insecticides for housefly control that is also safe for important non-target species. Full article

Spinosad is a naturally derived insecticide obtained from a soil-dwelling bacterium and is widely used against various agricultural and public-health pests. Although resistance to spinosad has been reported in several pest groups—including thrips, fruit flies, beetles, lepidopterans, and even mosquitoes—no study to date has evaluated its resistance status in the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). The present study provides the first field-based assessment of spinosad resistance in larvae of M. domestica, based on field-collected populations from Türkiye, and offers the first baseline data on larval susceptibility for this species. House fly larvae collected from seven provinces were exposed to a series of spinosad doses, and LD₅₀ values were calculated using probit analysis. According to the results, LD₅₀ values showed variability of up to approximately 18-fold, ranging from 0.002 g a.i./m² in the Adana population to 0.036 g a.i./m² in the Şanlıurfa population. The corresponding resistance ratio (RR₅₀) values calculated based on the most susceptible population (Adana) ranged from 1.0 to 18.0, indicating low-to-moderate variation in baseline tolerance among the tested field populations. Despite these differences at low doses, the minimum operational dose of 0.25 g a.i./m² consistently produced 97–100% emergence inhibition in all populations. Overall, no high or very high resistance levels were detected across the tested populations. These findings indicate that, despite detectable differences in baseline tolerance, spinosad remains a highly effective larvicide for house fly management. The establishment of these baseline data is essential for future resistance-monitoring programs, and continued surveillance is strongly recommended to detect early shifts in susceptibility before operational resistance emerges. Full article

Chrysomya megacephala is a synanthropic fly with a high potential to act as a mechanical vector of pathogenic bacteria, surpassing Musca domestica in both bacterial load and diversity. Native to Asia and Africa, it has become a cosmopolitan species, successfully adapting to a wide range of environments, including natural ecosystems. In Colombia, studies on its role as a vector are limited and have largely relied on traditional culturing methods. This study aimed to characterize the pathogenic bacterial microbiota associated with C. megacephala using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in urban, rural, and forest settings of a coastal tourist city. Flies were collected using Van Someren Rydon traps with attractants and sterile materials. Bacterial identification was performed through Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing (Manufactured by Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Oxford, UK). A total of 49 bacterial species were identified, with urban environments showing the highest taxonomic richness. The forest environment was characterized by a highly dominant community structure, led by Vagococcus carniphilus. Notably, 20 bacterial species of public health relevance were detected, including Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Ignatzschineria ureiclastica, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae. These findings indicate that bacterial community composition varies by environment and underscore the potential role of C. megacephala as a mechanical vector, highlighting the importance of surveillance for its public health implications. Full article

Insecticide resistance in insects poses a serious problem in population control of arthropod vectors and spreaders of human and animal diseases. Metabolic resistance to insecticides is facilitated by detoxification system enzymes, including glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) involved in phase II of xenobiotic biotransformation. The aim of this study was to analyze the glutathione-S-transferase activity and the expression level of different class GST genes in Musca domestica. The test subjects were larvae and 3–5-day-old adults of a laboratory susceptible strain (LabTY) and a field deltamethrin-tolerant population (Nik). Based on the LC50 values, the Nik strain showed sensitivity to chlorpyrifos and chlorfenapyr and tolerance to deltamethrin with a remarkable increase in the level of resistance in males compared to females. Expression analysis of eight GST genes revealed that the expression of the GST-E12 gene (Epsilon class) was significantly elevated and the GST-S1 gene (Sigma class) was significantly decreased in the Nik strain across all groups (larvae, females, and males), with the most pronounced difference in females. A pronounced sexual dimorphism was observed: the expression of most GST genes was significantly higher in males than in females in both strains. For the first time, a consistent male-specific overexpression of multiple GST genes has been demonstrated in M. domestica. Full article

House flies (Musca domestica L.) are major vectors of numerous pathogens affecting both humans and animals. The global distribution of house flies has been steadily increasing the expansion of human settlements, increased waste production, and the growth of livestock farms established to meet the demand for animal-derived products. Frequent exposure to intensive pesticide applications in agricultural and livestock areas has accelerated the development of insecticide resistance, posing a serious challenge to sustainable control efforts. The widespread and repeated use of conventional chemical insecticides has contributed to rapid resistance evolution in many populations worldwide. In this study, the acute toxic effects of two insect growth regulators (IGRs)—cyromazine and methoprene—commonly used in the larval stages of house flies were evaluated against adult flies. Treatments were applied (3 replicates) orally via 40% sugar-water solutions containing 1%, 5%, and 10% concentrations, and bioassays were conducted on eight distinct house fly populations. The results showed that cyromazine caused average adult mortalities of 76.35%, 81.00%, and 84.50% within 48 h, while methoprene produced 70.62%, 99.37%, and 100% mortality at the same concentrations. At 10%, methoprene achieved 100% mortality across all populations, whereas cyromazine induced mortality ranging from 44.28% to 100%. These findings suggest that IGRs can be effective alternatives to conventional insecticides and can be integrated into IPM/IVM programs to reduce chemical use and delay resistance. Full article

In this study, we investigated the insecticidal potential of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Cymbopogon citratus Stapf essential oils (EOs), both alone and in synergistic blends with their primary active compounds, against adult houseflies (Musca domestica L.). Toxicity assessments were also conducted on non-target organisms—dwarf honeybees (Apis florea Fabricius) and guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters)—to evaluate environmental safety. All binary EO mixtures demonstrated superior efficacy compared to individual EOs and the synthetic pyrethroid α-cypermethrin (1% positive control). The most potent formulation, combining 2.5% (v/v) geranial with 2.5% (v/v) E. globulus EO, exhibited a synergistic effect, achieving complete fly mortality (LT₅₀: 0.06 h). This mixture’s mortality index significantly exceeded those of single-component formulations, with a mortality index of 0.22, confirming greater toxicity to flies than α-cypermethrin. Importantly, all the tested EOs and their blends were non-toxic to honeybees and guppies; in comparison, α-cypermethrin caused significant harm. These findings highlight the 2.5% (v/v) geranial + 2.5% (v/v) E. globulus EO blend as a highly effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides. Further research is recommended to optimize its formulation for practical use in sustainable fly management. Full article

Edible insect farming represents a promising sector focused on producing sustainable and nutritional food and feed. Compared to conventionally farmed animals, insects are more sustainable, thanks to lower greenhouse gas emissions, efficient bioconversion, and minimal space requirements. These characteristics make edible insect farming remarkably eco-friendly: this concept aligns with the core principles of the organic supply chain. However, current organic regulations do not yet include insects. This review investigates various aspects of edible insect rearing to better understand how an “organic edible insect farm” could be established. Nine insect species that have been authorized as ingredients for the production of either food or feed were included, such as Hermetia illucens, Musca domestica, Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, Locusta migratoria, Gryllodes sigillatus, Gryllus assimilis, Acheta domesticus, and Bombyx mori. Among the evaluated features of insect farming, insect welfare and the use of chemical substances (such as veterinary drugs and pesticides) are thoroughly examined in the literature review. These represent the most significant challenges given the scarce knowledge both on the well-being of insects, currently identified as non-sentient beings, and on the degradation and metabolism of drugs or pesticides that could harm the animals but also undermine consumer safety. Full article

Background: Pigs and cattle have been implicated as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that can spread to humans, and houseflies are considered potential carriers of bacteria with ARGs that could contribute to their spread to the environment, including food, animals, and humans. Methods: In this study, 107, 145, and 127 Escherichia coli strains were isolated from houseflies, pigs, and cattle, respectively, from a slaughterhouse in Lima, Peru. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer method, where thirteen antibiotics were used. Strains were also plated on CHROMagar COL-APSE agar, and colistin’s minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Colistin-resistant E. coli strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Results: 7.8% (8/107), 1.38% (2/145), and 0.79% (1/127) of E. coli strains isolated from houseflies, pigs, and cattle, respectively, were resistant to colistin (MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL). ARGs associated with resistance to more than 6 different antibiotic classes were identified, including tetracyclines, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, nitroimidazoles, trimethoprim and amphenicols. Conclusions: This study suggests that flies could contribute to the dissemination of ARG carrying bacteria and shows the potential risk of animals and meat production systems as reservoirs of ARG carrying bacteria. Full article

Insect pests remain a major threat to agricultural productivity, particularly in open-field cropping systems where conventional monitoring methods are labor-intensive and lack scalability. This study presents the design, implementation, and field evaluation of a neural network-guided smart trap specifically developed to monitor and selectively capture nocturnal insect pests under real agricultural conditions. The proposed trap integrates light and rain sensors, servo-controlled mechanical gates, and a single-layer perceptron neural network deployed on an ATmega-2560 microcontroller by Microchip Technology Inc. (Chandler, AZ, USA). The perceptron processes normalized sensor inputs to autonomously decide, in real time, whether to open or close the gate, thereby enhancing the selectivity of insect capture. The system features a removable tray containing a food-based attractant and yellow and green LEDs designed to lure target species such as moths and flies from the orders Lepidoptera and Diptera. Field trials were conducted between June and August 2023 in La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico, under diverse environmental conditions. Captured insects were analyzed and classified using the iNaturalist platform, with the successful identification of key pest species including Tetanolita floridiana, Synchlora spp., Estigmene acrea, Sphingomorpha chlorea, Gymnoscelis rufifasciata, and Musca domestica, while minimizing the capture of non-target organisms such as Carpophilus spp., Hexagenia limbata, and Chrysoperla spp. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed significant differences in capture rates across environmental conditions. The results highlight the potential of this low-cost device to improve pest monitoring accuracy, and lay the groundwork for the future integration of more advanced AI-based classification and species recognition systems targeting nocturnal Lepidoptera and other pest insects. Full article

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a pest of great medical and agricultural importance, serving as a vector for various diseases and undermining the quality of agricultural products. Traditionally, synthetic insecticides have been the primary means of control; however, their efficacy has declined over time, and they are now less preferred due to their safety and environmental concerns. This study evaluated the insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus, Foeniculum vulgare and Salvia officinalis against M. domestica. All EOs exhibited insecticidal activity: eucalyptus achieved 100% fumigant mortality at 34 µL L⁻¹ air and showed the lowest LC₅₀ (18.1 µL L⁻¹ air), while fennel and sage required 50 µL L⁻¹ air. In contrast, fennel showed the highest contact toxicity (100% mortality at 150 µL L⁻¹). Repellency exceeded 87% for all EOs, with sage being the most repellent at the lowest concentration tested (94% at 5 µL L⁻¹). These results highlight the potential use of essential oils and their constituents as environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of M. domestica. However, further field validation and studies on individual components and their synergistic combinations are needed to understand their efficacy and fully optimize their use. Full article

Housefly maggot larvae (HML) have been identified as a potential alternative animal diet for the fattening process of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). However, the feasibility and potential impacts of HML supplementation require further investigation. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary HML on the growth indices, nutrient compositions, antioxidant activity, and texture profiles of edible tissues of E. sinensis. The results showed that dietary HML supplementation effectively improved the hepatic steatosis index of both genders and sweet amino acid content of edible tissues (except for male gonad) (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary HML significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity in the gonad and female muscle (p < 0.05). For the textural properties, HML feeding significantly improved the adhesiveness in the male muscle, and the cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience in the female muscle (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HML feeding significantly decreased the levels of the equivalent umami concentration of the male gonad, male muscle, and hepatopancreas (p < 0.05). Conversely, HML feeding significantly increased the sweetness value in the muscle, hepatopancreas, and female gonad (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that HML could serve as a viable alternative feed for fattening to improve the edible yield and change the flavor characteristics in E. sinensis. Full article

This study tested the efficacy of xenomonitoring using contaminated flies and cockroaches at ports in Shenzhen by analysing sample data from imported flies and cockroaches from October 2023 to April 2024 to identify the pathogens they carried. Among all the samples of flies and cockroaches collected, Musca domestica vicina and Blattella germanica accounted for the highest proportion, 27.59% and 66.47%, respectively. Their positive rates for carrying Staphylococcus aureus were also the most significant, reaching 4.35% and 6.47%, respectively. The imported flies and cockroaches mainly came from Asia, with the highest proportion coming from Hong Kong, at 97.71% and 92.11%, respectively. Metagenomic sequencing indicated that the pathogens carried by the flies and cockroaches from different regions of Asia were generally similar but showed some differences. Flies from Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia and cockroaches from Southeast Asia, East Asia, and West Asia harboured unique opportunistic pathogens capable of causing gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in humans. Specifically, flies carried pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus anthracis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica, while cockroaches carried B. fragilis, Clostridium tetani, and Bacillus cereus. Our findings provide data support for future risk assessments of pathogens carried by imported vectors. Full article

The high pathogenic activity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains against various insect orders has positioned it as the most effective, environmentally safe, and sustainable approach to integrated insect management. We aimed to identify Bt strains capable of effectively controlling the housefly Musca domestica, a species of significant medical, veterinary, and public health concern. Twelve Bt strains from Macapá, Brazil, were tested against housefly larvae. PCR was employed to detect genes encoding Cry and Cyt proteins and Vips. Six strains exhibited 70 to 100% larval mortality, with five containing cry genes, none harboring cyt genes, and four carrying vip genes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the production of crystal inclusions with distinct morphologies: spherical (TR4J, SOL5DM, SOL6RN), cuboidal and bipyramidal (TRO1TN and TRO2MQ), and spherical and bipyramidal (UNI2MA). The potential presence of genes from the cry1, cry2, vip1, and vip3 families suggests that these strains also exhibit bioinsecticidal activity against other muscoid flies and insect pests across various orders. This study underscores the bioactive potential of these Brazilian Bt strains for developing new bioinsecticides. Full article