Discipline of Plant Pathology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Mwamburi, L.A., Discipline of Plant Pathology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Laing, M.D., Discipline of Plant Pathology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Miller, R., School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Infestations of house flies, Musca domestica L., are a continual problem around poultry establishments. Acute toxicity of two commercial Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelensis (Bti) formulations (water-dispersible granules and bran formulation) was evaluated against larvae in the laboratory and against natural populations of M. domestica larvae in the field applied in feed to chickens and as topical applications in the poultry houses. Bioassay data showed that susceptibility of M. domestica larvae increased to a given concentration of Bti as the duration of exposure increased. In the laboratory studies, the LC50 values of Bti for the larvae ranged between 65 and 77.4 Âμ g/ml. In the field, a concentration of 10 g Bti/kg of feed resulted in 90% reduction of larvae at 4 wk after treatment. A higher concentration (2 g/liter) of Bti in spray applications was not significantly more effective than the lower concentration of 1 g/liter. Adding Bti to chicken feed is potentially an efficient measure for the management and control of house flies in caged-poultry facilities. © 2011 Entomological Society of America.
food additive; insecticide; bacterium; bioassay; biological control; concentration (composition); fly; infectious disease; laboratory method; manure; pest control; poultry; toxicity; animal; animal food; animal housing; article; Bacillus thuringiensis; biological pest control; chicken; house fly; larva; manure; methodology; microbiology; South Africa; Animal Feed; Animals; Bacillus thuringiensis; Chickens; Food Additives; Houseflies; Housing, Animal; Insecticides; Larva; Manure; Pest Control, Biological; South Africa; Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis; Diptera; Gallus gallus; Musca domestica; Muscidae
