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Cloning of a horn fly cDNA, HialphaE7, encoding an esterase whose transcript concentration is elevated in diazinon-resistant flies.

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to clone two esterase cDNAs from a diazinon-resistant field population of horn flies that expresses qualitative and quantitative differences in esterases compared with a susceptible population. The open reading frame from one of the esterase cDNAs, HialphaE7, exhibits substantial amino-acid identity to an esterase associated with diazinon resistance in Lucilia cuprina. RNA Northern blots showed that HialphaE7 mRNA was more abundant in the diazinon-resistant population than the susceptible population. DNA copy number analysis did not reveal major differences in HialphaE7 gene copy number between the two populations. The full-length cDNA to HialphaE7 was cloned and sequenced, and found to contain all of the highly conserved sequence elements associated with carboxyl/cholinesterases. The HialphaE7 homologs in diazinon-resistant strains of L. cuprina and Musca domestica have been shown to possess an amino-acid substitution conferring diazinon hydrolytic activity to the esterase enzyme. This amino-acid substitution was not found in diazinon-resistant horn flies examined by allele-specific PCR. Individual flies from the resistant field population were phenotyped as diazinon-resistant or diazinon-susceptible by topical diazinon application bioassays and total RNA isolated and hybridized to HialphaE7 probe in ribonuclease protection assays. HialphaE7 transcript was expressed at a five-fold higher level in resistant female individual flies than in susceptible female individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Delayed-type hypersensitivity to Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly bite: An adaptive response induced by the fly?

The saliva of bloodsucking arthropods contains a large array of pharmacologically active compounds that assist hematophagy. Arthropod saliva is also responsible for causing uncomfortable allergic responses in its vertebrate hosts. In this article, we investigate whether the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi, known to produce a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in humans, could benefit from, and possibly adaptively induce, this response in their vertebrate hosts. In this study, we show that flies fed on humans to completion nearly twice as fast in DTH sites as compared with normal skin sites. DTH sites had significantly larger blood flow as measured by the laser Doppler method. Sand flies feeding at sites in mouse ears that had a DTH response also fed faster than at normal sites. We conclude that in the case of P. papatasi, and possibly other arthropods such as fleas and bed bugs, the strong saliva-induced DTH response may reflect an adaptation of the fly to manipulate host immunity for the insect's own advantage.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The constraints of body size on aerodynamics and energetics in flying fruit flies: an integrative view.

Reynolds number and thus body size may potentially limit aerodynamic force production in flying insects due to relative changes of viscous forces on the beating wings. By comparing four different species of fruit flies similar in shape but with different body mass, we have investigated how small insects cope with changes in fluid mechanical constraints on power requirements for flight and the efficiency with which chemical energy is turned into aerodynamic flight forces. The animals were flown in a flight arena in which stroke kinematics, aerodynamic force production, and carbon dioxide release were measured within the entire working range of the flight motor. The data suggest that during hovering performance mean lift coefficient for flight is higher in smaller animals than in their larger relatives. This result runs counter to predictions based on conventional aerodynamic theory and suggests subtle differences in stroke kinematics between the animals. Estimates in profile power requirements based on high drag coefficient suggest that among all tested species of fruit flies elastic energy storage might not be required to minimize energetic expenditures during flight. Moreover, muscle efficiency significantly increases with increasing body size whereas aerodynamic efficiency tends to decrease with increasing size or Reynolds number. As a consequence of these two opposite trends, total flight efficiency tends to increase only slightly within the 6-fold range of body sizes. Surprisingly, total flight efficiency in fruit flies is broadly independent of different profile power estimates and typically yields mean values between 2-4%.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of core sampling and pupal traps for monitoring immature stable flies and house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in beef feedlot pens.

Core samples and cylindrical pupal traps were used to monitor immature stages of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house fly, Musca domestica L., from 5 sample areas in beef feedlot pens: the feed apron-soil interface, the back fence, the side (pen dividing) fence, the mound, and the general lot. One feedlot was sampled during 1986, two feedlots were sampled in 1987, and three samples were taken at random from each sample area on each sample date. Core samples showed that both populations were highest from the feed apron sample area. Pupal traps tended to show the same result but differences between sample areas were not significant for immature stable flies. Both sampling methods generally indicated similar population trends of the 2 fly species over the season; correlation coefficients between the 2 sampling methods were generally significant but few correlations were strong and large divergences between population trends were present. Only approximately 69% of the total number of pupal traps placed were recovered; the loss of traps could have contributed to differences between the 2 sampling methods. Core sampling would be preferred if lower variance of samples is important; if collecting pupae of known age is important, then pupal traps may be useful if they are protected from trampling by cattle.

Animals↗

Upper extremity pain seen with fly-casting technique: a survey of fly-casting instructors.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of upper extremity pain symptoms in fly-casting instructors and examine the association between pain and casting style and equipment. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected group of 577 fly-casting instructor mailing-list members and recorded equipment; casting styles; pain symptoms; and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand inventory. We used univariate statistical tests to examine the associations between pain and casters' equipment and styles. RESULTS: In 292 usable surveys, pain was reported in the shoulder (50%), elbow (39%), and wrist (36%) of those surveyed and was characterized as moderate-to-severe by 25% of all respondents. Overhead casting was associated with less frequent wrist and elbow pain than was sidearm or elliptical casting. Respondents who used multiple casting styles had significantly less elbow pain than did single-style casters (7% vs 38% overhead, P = .04: 45% sidearm, P = .02; 71% elliptical, P = .003). Pain was significantly more frequent in those who cast with a haul (75% vs 33%, P = .04), used shooting heads (79% vs 66%, P = .04), or added weight to sinking flies (78% vs 60%, P = .01). Moderate-to-severe pain was more frequent in fishers of heavy saltwater fish. CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity pain was frequent, but not often severe, in this group of fly-casting instructors. Increased weight on the line and "haul" technique appeared to increase pain symptoms. Modifications in casting style and equipment may help in avoiding or reducing pain.

Animals↗

Field response of Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) to ceralure B1: evaluations of enantiomeric B1 ratios on fly captures.

(-)-Ceralure B1 (ethyl-cis-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate), a male attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is significantly more attractive than trimedlure (tert-butyl esters of 4(5)-chloro-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate), the current standard male attractant used in detection programs. This article reports studies that compare the effectiveness of racemic ceralure B1, mixtures of racemic ceralure B1 and pure (-)-ceralure B1, and trimedlure in field tests conducted in Hawaii, Africa, and Spain with wild Mediterranean fruit flies and in Florida with sterile released Mediterranean fruit fly. Trapping results showed that doses of (-)-ceralure B1 of 87.5 and 75% are just as effective as the 98% (-)-ceralure B1 and the racemic form to be almost as attractive. In nearly all studies, the racemic ceralure B1 was significantly better than trimedlure. These studies suggest that the racemic ceralure B1 could be a viable replacement for trimedlure in areawide detection programs for Mediterranean fruit fly. Synthesizing racemic ceralure B1 instead of a specific stereoselective enantiomer of ceralure B1 would likely be more cost-effective to produce and also might be useful in control as well as detection of this pest.

Africa↗

Studies on flies in Korea I. Taxonomical studies on calliphorid flies (Diptera).

A total of 97 species of flies collected in Korea since 1919 is described which consists of the collections by Kobayashi, Hori and the author. They include 19 species belonging to 12 genera of the family Calliphoridae, 38 species belonging to 15 genera of the family Sarcophagidae and 40 species belonging to 14 genera of the family Muscidae. The specimens were identified according to the male genitalia, which generally show little variations among the flies of the same species, and were illustrated. The geographical distribution and localities in Korea of all the species are presented, and the medically important species are discussed in detail. Of these flies, the calliphorid species in Korea are described and illustrated in this paper. The author found newly 8 species of calliphorid flies including a new species. As for the families Sarcophagidae and Muscidae, the descriptions on these will be published in part II and part III, respectively, in the near future.

Abdomen↗

Studies on medically important flies in Thailand. IV. Altitudinal distribution of flies belonging to Muscidae and Calliphoridae in Doi Indhanondh Mountain, Chiengmai, in early summer season.

The study on the altitudinal distribution of muscid and caliphorid flies was firstly carried out in the Doi Indhanondh mountain in March 1976. Twenty-eight species of muscid and calliphorid flies, belonging to 10 genera, were collected in this study. The calliphorid flies were classified into 7 genera and 19 species (2,442 individuals) and the muscid flies were classified into 3 genera and 9 species (1,061 individuals). The data and figures are shown in this paper.

Altitude↗

[Fly ash and its biological effects. I. Production, utilization and physico-chemical properties of fly ash].

The paper includes the results of Part I of the studies designed to evaluate occupational risk of power engineering workers, i.e. people employed in plants producing fly-ashes, as well as those working in lightweight concrete plants where fly-ashes are applied as raw materials. The authors have found out that fly-ashes included mainly quartz, orthoclase and mullite. In dust samples, particles of fibrous structure have been found (probably--mullite). The content of free crystalline silica came to 31.6% in total dust and 8.9% in respirable dust. Fly-ashes contained:--naturally radioactive elements K40, Ra226, Th228 (maximum values were, respectively: 1070 Bq/kg, 222 Bq/kg, 142 Bq/kg of dust),--aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene-soluble fraction) in the amount of 0.001 to 0.003 microgram/mg, as well as admixtures of heavy metals in amounts varying largely. The dust concentrations at workplaces ranged from 1 mg/m3 to 200 mg/m3, depending on the type of work (inspection, repair of boilers). The results demonstrate that in the working environment of power engineering and lightweight concrete plants there occur agents of potentially fibrogenic and cancerogenic properties.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

A new Sodalis lineage from bloodsucking fly Craterina melbae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) originated independently of the tsetse flies symbiont Sodalis glossinidius.

Symbiotic bacterium closely related to the secondary symbiont of tsetse flies, Sodalis glossinidius, has been described from the bloodsucking fly Craterina melbae. Phylogenetic analysis of two genes, 16S rRNA gene and component of type three secretion system, placed the bacterium closer to the Sitophilus-derived branch of Sodalis than to the tsetse symbionts. This indicates that the Craterina-derived lineage of Sodalis originated independent of the tsetse flies symbionts and documents the capability of Sodalis bacteria either to switch between different host groups or to establish the symbiosis by several independent events.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Xl-fli, the Xenopus homologue of the fli-1 gene, is expressed during embryogenesis in a restricted pattern evocative of neural crest cell distribution.

The Xenopus laevis fli cDNA, belonging to the ets family of transcription factors, was isolated from a library prepared from unfertilized eggs. It encodes a polypeptide with extensive homology to murine and human Fli proteins. The long 3'-untranslated region contains five nuclear polyadenylation signals and three cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, as well as many A/T rich elements. Two polyadenylated transcripts appear at the early neurula and accumulate up to the tadpole stage. In situ hybridization reveals an expression in territories invaded by neural crest cells. In the head region, fli is expressed in the peri-ocular zone, in the branchial buds and at the level of the brain floor. In the trunk, a metamerized expression is detected in the dorsum. At a lower level, the tailbud and the peri-cardiac region also appear positive.

Animals↗

Mating competitiveness of irradiated flies for screwworm fly eradication campaigns.

Should the screwworm fly invade Australia, the sterile insect technique (as used successfully overseas) is currently the only feasible method of eradication. Used in conjunction with chemical control methods, it relies on large numbers of factory-reared, sterilized males competing successfully with wild males for the wild females. However, laboratory and field studies have shown that the processes of mass rearing, irradiation and distribution seriously impair the competitiveness of the sterilized flies. This study collates and analyses the relatively sparse information on the relative mating competitiveness of sterilized screwworm flies, from both controlled experiments and large-scale field studies. A population dynamics example then demonstrates that competitiveness will be a key parameter in the effectiveness and economic feasibility of any future eradication campaign.

Animals↗

Volatiles production and attractiveness to the Mexican fruit fly of Enterobacter agglomerans isolated from apple maggot and Mexican fruit flies.

We investigated two strains of uricase (+) Enterobacter agglomerans, one isolated from the apple maggot fly (AMF) and one from the Mexican fruit fly (MFF), for 1) attractiveness to MFF, and 2) production of attractive chemicals. Regarding chemicals demonstrated attractive to the MFF, the MFF bacterial strain produced more 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-phenylethanol, and indole than the AMF strain, whereas the AMF, but not the MFF strain, produced 3-hydroxybutanone. Cell types that predominated in plated subcultures varied from batch to batch resulting in variation in volatiles production, especially by the AMF strain where indole was sometimes a major component of the odor and at other times not detectable. Despite the greater production of attractive chemicals by the MFF strain, the AMF strain was consistently more attractive and the MFF strain was not different from uninoculated control plates. Statistical analyses indicated negative correlations of attractiveness with production of indole, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2-phenylethanol, and positive correlation with 3-hydroxybutanone. Results support previous findings with the Mexican fruit fly that showed combinations of attractive chemicals sometimes are not attractive.

Animals↗

Oviposition deterrents for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) from fly faeces extracts.

After oviposition, females of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann deposit a host-marking pheromone on the fruit surface that deters oviposition by conspecifics. Methanolic extracts of fruit fly faeces elicit a similar deterrent effect. The results of laboratory and field experiments using raw methanolic extracts of C. capitata faeces as an oviposition deterrent are reported. Laboratory bioassays revealed a significant positive relationship between concentration of faeces and the inhibition of oviposition responses by C. capitata. Treatment of halves of coffee bushes with methanolic extracts containing 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg faeces ml(-1) resulted in a significant reduction of infestation only at the highest concentration (P=0.03). Treatment of blocks of coffee bushes with an extract of 10 mg faeces ml(-1) resulted in an 84% reduction in infestation by C. capitata in sprayed plants and a 56% reduction in adjacent untreated coffee bushes surrounding treated plots, probably due to the deterrent effect of host-marking pheromone on fly oviposition. We conclude that faeces contain oviposition deterrent substances that effectively reduce fruit infestations by C. capitata, suggesting a clear potential for the use of this infochemical in integrated management programmes targeted at this pest.

Animals↗

Costs of existing and recommended manure management practices for house fly and stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae) control on dairy farms.

Costs of fly control practices were estimated for 26 New York and Maryland dairy farms. Objectives were to characterize existing practices, compare them with the cost of more frequent and complete manure removal to reduce fly breeding, and to compare costs of manure removal and insecticide application. Information was collected in scouting visits and personal interviews of farm operators. Equipment, labor, and bedding costs were included for manure removal. Insecticide application costs included chemicals and labor for application. A typical farm with a stanchion barn had manure removal costs of $0.348 per cow per day. Recommended changes would increase costs by $0.016-0.033 per cow per day. Insecticide costs averaged $0.021 per cow per day. It may be possible to eliminate many of the insecticide applications on the farms by using the recommended 7-d manure removal practice. Even if insecticides are not eliminated entirely, increased manure removal costs would be offset by some reduction in insecticide cost. This also would have the additional benefit of greatly slowing the development of insecticide resistance by the flies.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial transfer RNA genes in a black fly, Simulium vittatum (Diptera: Simuliidae), indicate long divergence from mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) and fruit fly (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

Sequences are given for nine complete genes and one partial mitochondrial tRNA gene of the black fly, Simulium vittatum (Zetterstedt). Sequenced tRNA genes were for alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, leucine(CUN), lysine, serine(AGN), and valine. Nucleotides were aligned with the same previously sequenced genes in Aedes albopictus Skuse and Drosophila yakuba Burla. A cluster of six tRNA genes, which differ in arrangement in Ae. albopictus and D. yakuba, was amplified by PCR and found to have the same position and orientation in S. vittatum as in D. yakuba. Overall, similarity with either D. yakuba or Ae. albopictus was 86%. Sequences that were common to the three insects suggest that black flies and mosquitoes are as divergent from each other as either is from Drosophila. Sequences for nine species of black flies were obtained for tRNA leucine(CUN) from DNA amplified with another primer set. Little variation occurred within the tRNA gene but, by including the flanking regions to provide 175 base pairs, a phylogeny of the nine species was obtained that was largely consistent with current classification.

Animals↗

Effects of drug residues in the faeces of cattle treated with injectable formulations of ivermectin and moxidectin on larvae of the bush fly, Musca vetustissima and the house fly, Musca domestica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the toxicity of residues of ivermectin and moxidectin in cattle faeces collected at intervals after treatment. DESIGN: Replicated bioassays of faeces using larvae of the bush fly, Musca vetustissima and the house fly, Musca domestica. ANIMALS: Two groups of five Murray Grey x Aberdeen Angus steers were treated with injectable formulations of ivermectin and moxidectin respectively. A third group was used as an untreated control. PROCEDURE: Newly emerged fly larvae were reared in the dung of treated animals. RESULTS: Drug residues in faeces collected 3 to 35 days after treatment with an injectable formulation of moxidectin had no significant effect on the survival of larvae of M vetustissima. Similarly, faeces dropped up to seven days after treatment caused no significant reduction in larval survival in M domestica. In day 2 dung, residues of moxidectin delayed development of M vetustissima larvae, but had no effect on their survival. In contrast, ivermectin-treated steers, produced dung that inhibited larval development of both M vetustissima and M domestica for 7 to 14 days after treatment. Significant reductions in survival of M vetustissima larvae occurred in dung collected on days 21 and 28 after treatment, but by day 35 survival did not differ from that in control dung. CONCLUSION: Excreted faecal residues of moxidectin are relatively innocuous to larvae of both M vetustissima and M domestica. Those of ivermectin inhibit survival for 7 to 14 days after treatment and are likely to have adverse effects on non-target organisms.

Animals↗

Effects of eucalyptol on house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) and blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

The effects of eucalyptol were evaluated against the house fly, Musca domestica L., and blow fly, Chrysomya megacephala (F.). The bioassay of adults, using topical application, indicated that M. domestica males were more susceptible than females, with the LD50 being 118 and 177 microg/fly, respectively. A higher LD50 of C. megacephala was obtained; 197 microg/fly for males and 221 microg/fly for females. Living flies of both species yielded a shorter life span after being treated with eucalyptol. The bioassay of larvae, using the dipping method on the third instar, showed that M. domestica was more susceptible than C. megacephala, with their LC50 being 101 and 642 microg/microl, respectively. The emergence of adults, which had been treated with eucalyptol in larvae, decreased only in M. domestica. Having the volatile property, fumigation or impregnated paper test of eucalyptol or the efficacy of repellence or attractiveness merits further investigations to enhance bio-insecticidal efficacy.

Animals↗