Tests on a new bait for flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) causing cutaneous myiasis (flystrike) in sheep

摘要

Abstract A synthetic bait consisting of sulphur‐containing volatile compounds encapsulated in a casein‐based slow release matrix was used in sticky and non‐return traps to catch sheep strike flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the field. The synthetic bait caught significantly more individuals of a minor strike fly Chrysomya rufifacies than a liver/sodium sulphide mixture. The synthetic bait also caught a significantly higher proportion of gravid C. rufifacies than the liver mixture. The synthetic bait did not trap significantly more Lucilia sericata than the liver mixture overall. However, it did trap a significantly higher proportion of gravid L. sericata than the liver mixture, suggesting it may be effective in controlling this species under field conditions. The bait efficacy wore off after 17 days under ambient conditions. The 17‐day‐old synthetic bait still caught significantly more C. rufifacies than the liver mixture, but caught significantly fewer L. sericata than the liver mixture. Ways of improvi...