| This research has indicated that the predaceous macrochelid mite, Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli), is the key predator of house flies in caged-hen manure in Florida. This mite was found distributed in the same moisture level of manure as the house fly eggs and larvae while the other predators found in Florida are more abundant in manure with a drier moisture level. The population of this mite species is negatively correlated to the house fly larval population. Laboratory studies demonstrated that in their lifetime the adult female and male mites consume approximately 247 and 34 house fly eggs, respectively.; A study on the toxicity of 9 pesticides to adult female M. muscaedomesticae showed that the mite strain studied may have developed resistance to coumaphos, dichlorvos, dimethoate, malathion, and stirofos. This mite species showed a high potential for developing pesticide resistance with its short life cycle and high reproductive rate.; A mass-production method was developed for this mite species. Using spent house fly media, frozen house fly eggs, and a nematode, Protorhabditis sp., 2500 mites could be produced in 8 days from 34.5 female mites at 30 C. The nematode, Protorhabditis sp., which is found in Florida poultry manure, and its relationship to the rearing of these mites are discussed. Under these conditions, the generation time of this mite was 3.225 days and the mite population could increase as high as 69.85 times per generation. The possible ways to improve the mass-production method were discussed. Attempts were made to create a model to predict the harvest time and failed because of the complicated interactions between this mite species and the environment.; In laboratory tests, adult female mites in a ratio of 1/5, 1/10, and 1/20 to house fly eggs caused a mortality of 99.7%, 92.3%, and 77.7%, respectively.; The proper release time of this mite species in a IPM program to control house flies in poultry farms was discussed and a possible scouting method suggested. |
