Management of nuisance fly populations on cattle feedlots

Abstract

Nuisance flies are recognised as a problem on Australian feedlots despite improved manure management over the past decade. The species, abundance and extent of breeding of nuisance flies and their natural enemies were determined on three feedlots. House flies were identified as the major fly problem and their chemical resistance status determined. Several biological agents, in particular parasitic wasps, played an important role in fly control. An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for nuisance fly control is provided and further work is proposed, including the use of biological control agents such as wasps and entomopathogenic fungi. Implementation of the IPM strategy and further R&D should provide the industry
with effective, sustainable and economic fly control.