An evaluation of (Z)‐9‐tricosene and food odours for attracting house flies, Musca domestica, to baited targets in deep‐pit poultry units

Field trials investigating the effect of food baits on catches of Musca domestica at toxic targets impregnated with the female sex pheromone, (Z)‐9‐tricosene, were conducted in a caged‐layer deep‐pit poultry unit in southern England. Targets treated with an Alfacron‐sugar mixture and baited with 2.5 g of 40% (Z)‐9‐tricosene beads caught significantly greater numbers of both male and female M. domestica than control targets. Egg and milk‐baited targets were less attractive than controls, while brewers yeast slightly increased the numbers of M. domestica attracted. However, the inclusion of brewers yeast in (Z)‐9‐tricosene‐impregnated targets produced a significant reduction in the number of male M. domestica attracted. Increased female attraction was elicited by baiting the targets with 2‐phenylethanol, at the quantities of 1 mg and 10 mg. However, 2‐phenylethanol had no effect on female attraction when presented in conjunction with (Z)‐9‐tricosene. The implications of these results in relation to the control of M. domestica populations in poultry units are discussed.

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