Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Stomoxys calcitrans is a hematophagous dipteran known as a “stable fly”, capable of parasitizing several animal species. The use of biological agents is an alternative for controlling S. calcitrans, with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) being both resistant and virulent. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of infection by EPNs subjected to spraying pressure on S. calcitrans larvae in sugarcane straw and vinasse under environmental conditions. Groups of 20 larvae of the stable fly were placed in plastic containers containing one kilogram of autoclaved soil and 200 g of sugarcane straw each. Subsequently, 200 JIs/larvae were sprayed onto the trays with larvae, and emergence traps were placed on the containers. In the control group, there were no EPNs; only vinasse was used. The experiment had three replicates and was monitored daily for 15 days. It was observed that the EPN Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 showed a mortality rate of 33.3%, which was not statistically different from that of the control group (38.3%). The EPNs H. indica LPP30 and H. baujardi LPP7 caused mortality rates of 81.7% and 73.3%, respectively; both being higher than H. bacteriophora HP88 and the control group, but equal to each other under these conditions. It is concluded that H. indica LPP30 and H. baujardi LPP7 were effective against stable fly larvae under environmental conditions, whereas H. bacteriophora HP88 does not demonstrate similar efficacy.
References
Alves, V. S., Moino Junior, A., Santa-Cecilia, L. V. C., Andaló, V., & Souza, G. C. (2009). Patogenicidade de nematoides entomopatogênicos à cochonilha-da-raiz-do-cafeeiro Dysmicoccus texensis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em laboratório. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico, 76(1), 67-73. https://doi.org/10.1590/1808-1657v76p0672009.
Barros, A. T. M., Rodrigues, V. D., Cançado, P. H. D., & Domingues, L. N. (2019). Resistance of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), to cypermethrin in outbreak areas in Midwestern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 28(4), 802-806. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612019089. PMid:31691737.
Barros, A. T. M., Soares, F. G., Barros, T. N., & Cançado, P. H. D. (2023). Stable fly outbreaks in Brazil: A 50-year (1971–2020) retrospective. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 32(2), e015922. https://doi.org/10.1590/ s1984-29612023017. PMid:37018839.
Barros, A. T. M., Souza, T. F., & Cançado, P. H. D. (2014). Metodologia para bioensaios com imaturos de Stomoxys calcitrans. In Anais do Congresso Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária. Embrapa Gado de Corte. http:// www.cbpv.org.br/congressos/parasitologia_2014_anais_online/trabalhos/trabalho_1471.html
Bittencourt, A. J. (2012). Avaliação de surtos e medidas de controle ambiental de Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) na Região Sudeste do Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 34(Supl. 1), 73-82.
Castro, B. G., Souza, M. M. S., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2008). Microbiota bacteriana em segmentos de mosca-do-estábulo Stomoxys calcitrans no Brasil: Primeiro relato de espécies. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 60(3), 1029-1031. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352008000400039.
Christmas, P. E. (1970). Laboratory rearing of the biting fly Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae). New Zealand Entomologist, 4(4), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779962.1970.9723073.
Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento. (2025). Boletim da safra de cana-de-açúcar: Safra 2025/2026 (3º levantamento). https://www.gov.br/conab/pt-br/atuacao/informacoes-agropecuarias/safras/safra-de-cana-de-acucar
Corrêa, E. C., Ribas, A. C. A., Campos, J., & Barros, A. T. M. (2013). Abundância de Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) em diferentes subprodutos canavieiros. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 33(11), 1303-1308. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2013001100003.
Davidson, E. W., & Sweeney, A. W. (1983). Microbial control of vectors: A decade of progress. Journal of Medical Entomology, 20(3), 235-247. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/20.3.235. PMid:6135806.
Dolinski, C., Kamitani, F. L., Machado, I. R., & Winter, C. E. (2008). Molecular and morphological characterization of heterorhabditid entomopathogenic nematodes from the tropical rainforest in Brazil. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 103(2), 150-159. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762008000200005. PMid:18425267.
Dolinski, C., & Moino Junior, A. (2006). Utilização de nematoides entomopatogênicos nativos ou exóticos: O perigo das introduções. Nematologia Brasileira, 30, 139-149.
Dominghetti, T. F. S., Barros, A. T. M., Soares, C. O., & Cançado, P. H. D. (2015). Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) outbreaks: current situation and future outlook with emphasis on Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 24(4), 1984-2961. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612015079.
Dunphy, G. B., & Webster, J. M. (1986). Temperature effects on the growth and virulence of Steinernema feltiae strains and Heterorhabditis heliothidis. Journal of Nematology, 18(2), 270-272. PMid:19294177.
Furman, D. P., & Catts, E. P. (1982). Manual of medical entomology (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Grisi, L., Leite, R. C., Martins, J. R., Barros, A. T. M., Andreotti, R., Cançado, P. H. D., Leon, A. P., Pereira, J. B., & Villela, H. S. (2014). Reassessment of the potential economic impact of cattle parasites in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 23(2), 150-156. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612014042. PMid:25054492.
Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia – INMET. (2024). https://mapas.inmet.gov.br/
Kaya, H. K., & Stock, P. (1997). Techniques in insect nematology. In L. A. Lacey (Ed.), Manual of techniques in insect pathology (pp. 281-324). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012432555-5/50016-6.
Leal, L. C. S. R., Monteiro, C. M. O., Mendonça, A. E., Bittencourt, V. R. E. P., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2017). Potential of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis for the control of Stomoxys calcitrans. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 26(4), 451-456. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612017065. PMid:29160358.
Leite, L. G., Machado, L. A., Aguilhera, M. M., Rodrigues, R. C. D., & Negrisoli Junior, A. S. (2003). Patogenicidade de Steinernema spp. e Heterorhabditis sp. (NEMATODA: RHABDITIDA) a ninfas da cigarrinha da raiz da cana-de-açúcar (Mahanava fimbriolata). Revista de Agricultura, 78, 139-148.
Lindegren, J. E., Valero, K. A., & Mackey, B. E. (1993). Simple in vivo production and storagemethods for Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles. Journal of Nematology, 5, 93-197.
Marcuzzo, F. F. N., Cardoso, M. R. D., & Faria, T. G. (2012). Chuvas no cerrado da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil: Análise histórica e tendência futura. Ateliê Geográfico, 6(2), 112-130.
Menandro, L. M. S., Cantarella, H., Franco, H. C. J., Kölln, O. T., Pimenta, M. T. B., Sanches, G. M., Rabelo, S. C., & Carvalho, J. L. N. (2017). Comprehensive assessment of sugarcane straw: Implications for biomass and bioenergy production. Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining : Biofpr, 11(3), 488-504. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1760.
Monteiro, C. M. O., Matos, R. S., Araújo, L. X., Campos, R., Bittencourt, V. R. E. P., Dolinski, C., Furlong, F., & Prata, M. C. A. (2014). Entomopathogenic nematodes in insect cadaver formulations for the control of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae). Veterinary Parasitology, 203(3-4), 310-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.04.003.
Monteiro-Sobrinho, A. C., Silva, D. P., Almeida, G. P. S., Souza, V. T., Chambarelli, M. C. M. C., Monteiro-Neto, J. L. L., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2025). Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes at different spray pressures on Stomoxys calcitrans larvae. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 34(3), e002725. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984- 29612025059. PMid:41124538.
Monteiro Sobrinho, A. C., Mendes, C. O. F., Leal, L. C. S. R., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2016). Virulência de Heterorhabditis bacteriophoracepa HP88 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabtidae) sobre larvas de Stomoxys calcitrans (Díptera: Muscidae) em dieta de torta de filtro. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 38(3), 9-13.
Monteiro-Sobrinho, A. C., Leal, L. C. S. R., Monteiro-Neto, J. L. L., Chambarelli, M. C. M. C., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2023). Evaluation in vitro of the virulence of two entomopathogenic heterorhabditid nematodes in the control of Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae in byproducts of the sugar and alcohol industry. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 32(2), e016022. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612023024.
Moraes, A. P. R., Salles, C. M. C., Bittencourt, V. R. E. P., & Bittencourt, A. J. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of Stomoxys calcitrans against Beauveria bassiana sensu lato isolates. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária = Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology : Órgão Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária, 24(3), 331-339. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612015064.
Mukuka, J., Strauch, O., Waeyenberge, L., Viaene, N., Moens, M., & Ehlers, R. (2009). Heat tolerance among different strains of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. BioControl, 55(3), 423- 434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-009-9255-4.
Mullens, B. A., & Meyer, J. A. (1987). Seasonal abundance of stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on California dairies. Journal of Economic Entomology, 80(5), 1039-1043. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/80.5.1039.
Ratcliffe, S. T., Robertson, C. C. J., Bollero, G. A., & Weinzierl, R. A. (2002). Assessment of parasitism of house fly and stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae) pupae by pteromalid (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitoids using a polymerase chain reaction assay. Journal of Medical Entomology, 39(1), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-39.1.52.
Souza, T. F., Cançado, P. H. D., & Barros, A. T. M. (2021). Attractivity of vinasse spraying to stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 41, e06817. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6817.
Taylor, D. B., Szalanski, A. L., Adams, B. J., & Peterson 2nd, R. D. (1998). Susceptibility of house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae to entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae, Steinernematidae). Environmental Entomology, 27(6), 1514-1519. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/27.6.1514.
Taylor, D. B., Moon, R. D., & Mark, D. R. (2012). Economic impact of stable flies on dairy and beef cattle production. Journal of Medical Entomology, 49(1), 198-209. https://doi.org/10.1603/ME10050. PMid:22308789.
Testezlaf, R. (2017). Irrigação: Métodos, sistemas e aplicações (1. ed., 215 p). Feagri.
Ulu, T. C., & Susurluk, I. A. (2014). Heat and desiccation tolerances of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strains and relationships between their tolerances and some bioecological characteristics. Invertebrate Survival Journal : ISJ, 11(1), 4-10.
Watson, D. W., Geden, C. J., Long, S. J., & Rutz, D. A. (1995). Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana for controlling the house fly and stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae). Biological Control, 5(3), 405-411. https://doi.org/10.1006/bcon.1995.1048.
White, G. F. (1927). A method for obtaining infective nematode larvae from cultures. Science, 66(1709), 302-303. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.66.1709.302.b. PMid:17749713.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Américo de Castro Monteiro Sobrinho, Ana Caroline Ferreira de Souza, Joana da Rocha Matos, Danielle Pereira da Silva, Gabriela Pereira Salça de Almeida, Vinícius Teixeira de Souza, Melissa Carvalho Machado do Couto Chambarelli, João Luiz Lopes Monteiro Neto, Avelino José Bittencourt