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Posted: Dec/06/2007 7:12 PM PST
Thought some of you might want to read this or not.  Pretty neat.Natural Pest Control: Tiny Pest-eating Insect Fights Fruit Flies ScienceDaily (Dec. 6, 2007) — Farmers and vineyard owners have a new weapon in their pest management arsenal. A commonly used parasitoid, or parasitic insect that kills its host, has proven to be quite effective in the control of fruit flies in vineyards. These tiny pest-devouring insects are considered to be powerful "biocontrol agents" since they reduce the need for chemical pest management applications. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Jean Pierre Kapongo, Ph.D., an entomologist specializing in environmental health at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, recently published the results of a research study that will aid vintners and fruit farmers in their ability to produce healthier crops. According to Kapongo, vineyard owners and farmers can now control fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) with Muscidifurax raptor, an insect currently used in the control of other types of pests. The study investigated the use of Muscidifurax raptor to control fruit flies in vineyards. Until recently, fruit flies were usually controlled with chemical insecticides and selected natural enemies. Kapongo explained that these traditional control methods were not popular with farmers because of the adverse effects of chemicals and the unreliability of using living parasites. "Now we have discovered a parasitoid that is easily produced and effective in controlling fruit flies.", Kapongo commented. He added that insectaries, where parasitic insects are commercially produced and sold, are ready to increase production of the insects in response to market demands from vineyard owners. Kopongo noted that using the Muscidifurax raptor parasitoid to control flies benefits the environment and promotes agricultural sustainability because the method lessens the need for chemical pesticides. Researchers believe that the study results will have additional application for controlling flies that threaten animals in confined environments such as poultry houses, dairies and horse stables. Adapted from materials provided by American Society for Horticultural Science. Got the info from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/07120 6145217.htm More Raptor Pics. http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/weblog/archives/00 0140.html Left: Male Raptor Right: Fruit Fly Attachments:  |
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Posted: Apr/24/2008 12:30 PM PST
Rashy..somehow I missed this before. Its very interesting!! |
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Posted: Aug/10/2010 5:53 PM PST
back to this thread huh?   http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/08/frui t-flie-quarantine-in-effect-for-89-square-miles-ne ar-pasadena.html Cali. latest - Fruit fly quarantine in effect for 89 square miles near Pasadena August 10, 2010 | 3:22 pm State officials have established an 89-square-mile agricultural quarantine area in Los Angeles County after invasive oriental fruit flies were found in Pasadena, they announced Tuesday. The quarantine means backyard gardeners cannot move plants from their property and must eat their produce at home. The area under quarantine is bordered by Figueroa Street on the west, Interstate 10 on the south, Big Santa Anita Wash to the east and the San Gabriel Mountain foothills on the north. If restrictions by the state Department of Food and Agriculture are not followed, the infestation could spread to other areas of the county, damaging crops and requiring increased use of pesticides, officials said. “This will protect their fellow gardeners and help ensure that the infestation will not spread to nearby areas where it could affect California’s food supply,” Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura said in a statement. The oriental fruit fly, classified as an exotic pest, was detected in traps in several locations in the Pasadena and San Marino area. The flies, which are widespread in southern Asia and Hawaii, typically arrive in the U.S. mainland by “hitchhiking” on fruit brought back by travelers. If the flies became established in California, commercial and residential growers would face crop losses that could cost them hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Native plants could suffer as farmers would use more pesticides to curb the damage. Agriculture officials last month placed a 79-square-mile area of Sacramento and Placer counties under quarantine. In L.A. County, crews are trying to eradicate the flies by posting bait stations with pesticides on utility poles. Male flies are attracted to the mixture and die after eating it. For more information, see the Department of Agriculture's website or call the state Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899. -- Tony Barboza |
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Posted: Aug/10/2010 6:07 PM PST
so does this look like the male raptor pictured above? I did see a few on our pear tree. I did joke to hubby this morning about seeing a fruit fly. maybe i really did see one after all.  #1 is on a cup in our kitchen! probably came in with the nectarine or pear, not sure. #2 a cropped copy Attachments:   |
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Posted: Aug/11/2010 3:46 PM PST
haven't ID my insect yet but it looks very much like one of the flower flies (Syrphidae family). The Insect Identification guide in my gardening book has a pic of an adult Hover fly/Flower Fly which looks a lot like my fly. I also read a bit about how to keep fruit flies away, at least try to keep them away ... one suggestion is pick up the fallen fruit daily and fly sticky paper supposedly helps too. Well i did the picking up and bought the paper, lets see if i can catch me some flies!  I did see a lot of common fruit flies around the trees fruiting. At least i now know what i'm dealing with. from my book Rodale's complete Guide to Organic Gardening ...... "Syrphidae family --- the female lay eggs among aphids; eggs hatch in 2-3 days; larvae feed on aphids for 3-4 weeks, then drop to the soil to pupate. Adults emerge after 2 weeks. Two to 4 generations per year." Common native predators in orchards!...this one is a keeper too.
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Posted: Aug/18/2010 5:14 AM PST
I don't know much about flies but saw this creature on the deck the other day! I am not sure if it is what you are talking about what do you think? I know it is bigger than the normal fly and I know it's not a horsefly. Attachments:  |
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Posted: Aug/18/2010 10:53 AM PST
pics of some fruit flies Jlwe, it is kind of hard to ID the exact specie sometime 'cause they have all kind nice colors/shaped wings. first image is of fruit flies from the following website. http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/cover/p13.jpg 2nd image of wings from the following website. http://www.news.wisc.edu/newsphotos/images/fruit_f ly_wings1_04.jpg Attachments:   |
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Posted: Aug/18/2010 11:17 AM PST
How about Tiger bee fly jlwe? http://www.robsplants.com/critters/flies.php Edit: has to be a tiger bee fly (Xenox tigrinus) see link. http://bugguide.net/node/view/59922/bgpage the wing is see through, picks up the color of the background. real cool!
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Posted: Aug/18/2010 12:39 PM PST
yep that's it! 
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Posted: Sep/14/2010 4:04 PM PST
that's not a fly...it's BATMAN! |
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