Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / Alberto B. Broce / Ludek Zurek / Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house fly, Musca domestica L., are two major pests affecting both confined and pastured livestock in the United States. It costs livestock producers millions of dollars annually to reduce populations of these two pests. Control of stable flies and house flies based on chemical insecticides is only marginally effective and unsustainable in the long term due to the development of insecticide resistance. This has created a demand for alternative methods which are environmentally friendly and cost effective for the management of these pests. Information on stable fly and house fly oviposition behavior and the aggregation and segregation of their immatures may help in an integrated pest management control program for these pests. This research identified specific bacterial species from the surface of stable fly eggs which are suspected of releasing chemical cues used to induce gravid females to oviposit at sites where eggs have been deposited and inhibit additional deposition of eggs in the same habitat when it is already colonized. My research also showed that stable fly and house fly larvae tend to be aggregated in distribution, even in apparently homogenous habitats, and to be spatially segregated from each other. Finally, I evaluated the vector competence of stable flies for an emerging food-borne pathogen, Enterobacter sakazakii, showing that this fly species is potentially a good vector for this pathogen.

In an attempt to demonstrate the role of insects as possible carriers of pathogenic bacterial organisms this investigation has been concerned with the determination of the microbial population associated both internally and externally with the common house fly and three species of the cockroach.

A study of the nutritional requirements of adult house flies has shown that liquid diets of natural and purified products are capable of supporting continued oogenesis. Chemically defined liquid diets containing nine 1-amino acids fed to newly emerged female flies were necessary for ovarian maturation and oviposition. Water, salts and carbohydrate were the other basic dietary requirements for this process and for survival. The addition of cholesterol to this synthetic diet also influenced fecundity. For the maturation and oviposition of more than one ovarian cycle the synthetic diet had to be supplemented with the amino acid 1-methionine, certain B-vitamins and nucleic acid bases. Flies fed diets deficient in these supplements showed a lower fecundity and survival. A dry synthetic diet was developed which supported egg production. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Master of Science / Entomology / Ludek Zurek / House flies (Musca domestica L.) and stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans L.) are insects of medical and veterinary importance. House flies are recognized as mechanical vectors of human foodborne pathogens and stable files are known for their painful bites resulting in reduction of body weight gain and milk production in cattle. The larval development of both fly species takes place in decaying organic materials (primarily animal manure), resulting in large fly populations in confined cattle environments. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a major foodborne pathogen. Cattle are the asymptomatic reservoir of STEC with bacteria being released to the environment via their feces. STEC O157 is the main serogroup causing human illness. However, infections with non-O157 STEC are increasing: more than 70% of non-O157 infections are caused by six serogroups of non-O157, referred as "Big six" (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). In addition, there was a large 2011 outbreak in Europe caused by STEC O104. The objectives of my thesis were: 1) To assess the prevalence of seven serogroups of non-O157 STEC (O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O121, and O145) (STEC-7) in house flies and stable flies collected from confined cattle environments; 2) To investigate the vector competence of house flies for non-O157 STEC-7. A total of 463 house flies from feedlots and dairies from six states, and 180 stable flies collected from a feedlot in Nebraska were processed for the isolation and identification of STEC-7 using a culture-based approach followed by PCR for the confirmation of serogroups, and virulence genes. A total of 34.3% of house flies and 1.1% of stable flies tested positive for at least one serogroup of E. coli of interest, and 1.5% of house flies harbored STEC with the Shiga-toxin gene (stx1). No STEC were detected in stable flies. Vector competence bioassays for non-O157 STEC revealed that house flies can carry non-O157 STEC for at least six days with the exception STEC O145. Overall, the findings of this research demonstrate that house flies, but not stable flies, likely play an important role in the ecology and transmission of non-O157 STEC in confined cattle environments.

The house fly, Musca domestica can transmit human pathogens including Escherichia coli O157:H7 through regurgitation of ingested bacteria from the crop which is a foregut organ of house fly and stores the excess ingested nutrients. Interactions between the ingested bacteria and the crop have a direct influence on bacteria persistence, survival and ultimately fly vector competence. In this research, in situ crop vessel assay was developed to investigate bacterial growth within fly crops up to 48 hours post-ingestion. Flies were fasted for 12 h prior to feeding E. coli O157:H7 pEGFP and then fed bacteria with red food color which was added to confirm that flies had consumed the bacteria. After feeding, flies with red abdomens were aseptically dissected and crops were removed and maintained in sterile phosphate buffered saline in microtiter plates held at 32˚C. For each time point (0, 24 and 48 hours post-ingestion), five crops were homogenized individually using a tissue grinder and bacterial levels (CFU/crop) were monitored using plate counts. Confocal microscopy of intact crops was used to monitor biofilm development. There was no statistical difference in cell numbers (CFU/crop) over the 48 h incubation period. Microscopy showed that upon prolonged incubation, GFP-expressing E. coli within the crop produced biofilms. This method showed greater reproducibility in studying crop bacteria level than using a live fly feeding study. But this system was not recommended to study the interaction between bacteria and the crop of housefly.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of Musca domestica (common house fly) larvae meal, as protein source, for broiler production. This was done by investigating the nutritive value of house fly larvae meal together with its total tract digestibility, potential toxicity and carcass characteristics of the broilers supplemented with house fly larvae meal. The proximate analysis of house fly larvae meal show that it contained, on a dry matter basis, a gross energy value of 20.10 MJ/kg, 60.38% crude protein, 14.08% crude fat and 10.68% ash and that the house fly pupae contained a gross energy of 20.42 MJ/kg, 76.23% crude protein, 14.39% crude fat and 7.73% ash. House fly pupae meal had the closest match of amino acid profile when compared with the ideal amino acid profile required by broilers and it has arginine relative to the lysine content closer to the ideal amino acid profile than the house fly larvae meal. The essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, was found at levels of 26.25 and 36.27% of the total fats for the house fly larvae and pupae meal respectively. House fly larvae meal supplementation did not induce gizzard erosion or showed toxicity (regarding the gastro intestinal tract, immune system and organ stress) in broilers. Results revealed that house fly pupae meal had higher total tract digestibilities for most nutrients than of the house fly larvae meal. House fly larvae meal had a crude protein total tract digestibility of 69% and that of pupae meal was 79%. Both larvae and pupae meal had high amino acid total tract digestibilities of all the amino acids analysed. The house fly larvae and pupae meal had an apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of 14.23MJ/kg and 15.15MJ/kg respectively. The larvae meal total tract crude fat and crude fibre digestibilities were 94% and 62% respectively. The pupae meal total tract crude fat and crude fibre digestibilities were 98% and 58% respectively. House fly larvae meal supplementation in a three phase feeding system significantly increased average broiler live weights at slaughter, total feed intake, cumulative feed intake as well as average daily gain (ADG) when compared to commercial maize: soya oil cake meal diet. In direct comparison of larvae inclusion levels with fishmeal in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diet, no significant differences were observed between a 10% house fly larvae and a 10% fish meal diets regarding performance characteristic. The 25% house fly larvae meal diet yielded significantly better average broiler live weights at slaughter, total feed intake, cumulative feed intake (from the second week until slaughter) as well as average daily gain when compared to the 25% fish meal diet in the growth phases. Carcass characteristics of the 10% larvae, 10% fishmeal and commercial diets were compared. Chicks that received either the 10% house fly larvae meal or 10% fish meal supplementation produced significantly heavier carcasses and breast muscle portions than the chicks that received the commercial maize: soya oil cake meal. No treatment differences were found regarding breast and thigh muscle colour or pH. This study showed that house fly larvae meal can be regarded as a safe protein source that can be used to replace other protein sources and that has the ability to promote broiler performance without having any detrimental effects on carcass characteristics. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die evaluasie van Musca domestica (gewone huisvlieg) larwe meel as ‘n proteien bron vir braaikuiken produksie Die doel van die studie was om die effek van Musca domestica (gewone huisvlieg) larwe meel, as ‘n protein bron, in braaikuikens te evalueer. Dit was gedoen deur die nutrient waarde van huisvlieg larwe meel saam met die totale spysvertering verteerbaarheid, moontlike toksiesiteit en karkas-eienskappe van braai kuikens te evalueer. Laboratoruim analiese toon dat huisvlieg larwe meel 20.10 MJ/kg bruto energie, 60.38% ru- protein, 14.08% ru- vet en 10.68% as bevat en huisvlieg papie meel 20.42 MJ/kg bruto energie, 76.23% ru- protein, 14.39% ru- vet en 7.73% as bevat. Huisvlieg papie meel stem die meeste ooreen met die idiale amino suur profiel soos wat benodig word deur braaikuikens en dit het ‘n arginien tot lisien verhouding wat die meeste ooreenstem met die idiale amino suur profiel in vergelyking met huis vlieg larwe meel. Die essensiele vet suur, linolien suur, was geanaliseer teen vlakke van 26.25- en 36.27% van die totale vette onderskeidelik vir huisvlieg larwe- en papie meel. Huisvlieg larwe meel vervanging het nie spiermaag erosie of enige ander toksiese effekte te veroorsaak nie. Resultate het getoon dat huisvlieg papie meel, in vergelyking met larwe meel, het ‘n hoër totale spysvertering verteerbaarheid vir meeste van die nutrient. Die huisvlieg larwe meel het ‘n totale ru- protein spysvertering verteerbaarheid van 69% en die van papie meel van 79%. Beide larwe en papie meel het hoë amino suur spysvertering verteerbaarheid. Larwe meel en papie meel het skynbare metaboliseerbare energie waardes van 14.23MJ/kg en 15.15%MJ/kg onderskeidelik. Die larwe meel het ‘n ru-vet en ru- vesel spysvertering verteerbaarheid van 94% en 62% onderskeidelik, waar die papies ‘n ru-vet en ru- vesel spysvertering verteerbaarheid van onderskeidelik 98% en 58% het. Huisvlieg larwe meel vervanging in ‘n drie fase voer stelsel het getoon om die gemiddelde braaikuiken lewende gewigte by slag, totale voer iname, sowel as die gemiddelde daaglikse toename te verhoog waneer dit vergelyk word met ‘n kommersiele mielie- soya olie koek dieet. Geen mekwaardige verskille was waargeneem toe die 10% larwe meel dieet direk met die 10% vismeel diet vergelyk was rakende enige produksie einskappe gemeet nie. Die 25% larwe meel dieet het merkwaardig beter gemiddelde braaikuiken lewende gewigte by slag, totale voer iname, sowel as die gemiddelde daaglikse toename getoon wanneer vergelyk word met die 25% vismeel dieet gedurende die verskeie groei fases. Karkas eienskappe van die 10% larwe meel, 10% vismeel en die kommersiele diete was gevergelyk. Kuikens wat 10% larwe meel en 10% vismeel in die diete ontvang het, het swaarder karkasse gelewer met swaarder borsie massas wanneer vergelyk word met die kommersiele mielie- soya olie koek dieet. Geen behandelings verskille was gevind rakende die borsie- en dy spier kleure of pH nie. Die studie toon dat huisvlieg larwe meel as ‘n veillige protein bron kan beskou word, wat gebruik kan word om ander protein bronne te vervang. Huisvlieg larwe meel het ook die vermoë om braaikuiken produksie te verhoog sonder om enige negitiewe effekte rakende die karkas eienskappe te toon nie.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:31:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_dani_araujo.pdf: 981441 bytes, checksum: 2de9e835165e500d623b9edd351edb76 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-08 / Synantropic flies frequently reach the status of plague in urban and rural areas, assuming an important role regarding its vectorial ability and nuisance to men and animals. Therefore, it is necessary to know their natural enemies in order to achieve a satisfactory control of these dipterans. The success of the biological control as an alternative to the Integrated Pest Management depends on the evaluation of enemies as potential control agents through the development of breeding techniques and laboratory evaluations. Considering that, this study had as objective to understand the phenology of Spalangia endius as well as the parasitoidism of this species using M. domestica, Muscina stabulans and Chrysomya megacephala as hosts, being the last two potential alternative hosts. Colonies of S. endius, M. domestica, M. stabulans e C. megacephala were kept in climatized chamber, at 26ºC ± 2, relative air humidity ≥70% and 12 hours photophase. In order to know the phenology of S. endius, 360 pupae of Musca domestica with ages ranging from 24 to 48 hours were exposed to 15 couples of S. endius for a period of 48 hours at 26ºC ± 2. These pupae were kept in B.O.D chambers at the same conditions of the climatized chamber, where 15 specimens were dissecated to observe the stage and the development time of the hymenopteran. The phenology allows concluding that S. endius presents a development cycle (egg-adult) of 19 to 31 days, with an incubation period of 24 hours, the development of the larvae of S. endius occurred in the 12 subsequent days, in which a series of morphological alterations were observed. The pre-pupae stage occurred in the tenth day where the movement ceased and the meconium elimination begun. The pupal stage occurred in at least 8 and at maximum 12 days, ending the cycle with the emergence of males and around 24 hours later, the emergence of females. The parasitoidism on thet host species was higher in M. domestica with 63%, followed by M. stabulans and C. megacephala with 27,5% and 16,5% respectively. The morphometrical measures confirmed the preference for M. domestica due to the higher size of the parasitoids that developed in this host. There was no significant difference regarding to the size of the parasitoids that developed in pupae of M. stabulans and C. megacephala as well as there was no influence of the sex in the size of the parasitoid. The data here obtained on the parasitoidism of S. endius in the different hosts show that under the studied conditions the best host is M. domestica. Based on the phenology of S. endius, further detailed studies can be carried out in order to optimize the breeding of this parasitoid in laboratory conditions, allowing the biological control of M. domestica as well as M. stabulans e C. megacephala. / Moscas sinantrópicas frequentemente atingem status de praga em áreas urbana e rural, assumindo um papel importante quanto ao incômodo e capacidade vetorial para o homem e animais.Portanto, para um controle satisfatório destes dípteros é necessário conhecer seus inimigos naturais. O sucesso do controle biológico como uma técnica inserida em um programa de Manejo Integrado de Pragas depende da avaliação de inimigos, como potenciais agentes para controle biológico, através do desenvolvimento de técnicas de criação e avaliações em laboratório. Por estas razões este estudo objetivou conhecer a fenologia de Spalangia endius bem como o parasitoidismo desta espécie utilizando como hospedeiros M. domestica, Muscina stabulans e Chrysomya megacephala, sendo as duas últimas potenciais hospedeiros alternativos. Para realização dos experimentos foram mantidas colônias de S. endius, M. domestica, M. stabulans e C. megacephala em câmara climatizada, 26ºC ± 2°C, umidade relativa ≥70% e fotofase de 12 horas. Para conhecer a fenologia de S. endius, 360 pupas de Musca domestica com idade de 24 a 48 horas foram expostas a 15 casais de S. endius por um período de 48 horas a 26ºC ± 2°C. Estas pupas foram mantidas em estufa B.O.D nas mesmas condições da câmara de criação, onde diariamente dissecava-se 15 espécimes para observar o estágio e tempo de desenvolvimento do himenóptero. A fenologia de S. endius em pupas de M. domestica apresentou um ciclo de desenvolvimento (ovo-adulto) de 19 a 31 dias, cujo período de incubação foi de 24 horas, o desenvolvimento de larvas de S. endius ocorreu nos 12 dias subsequentes nos quais, uma série de modificações morfológicas foi observada. O estágio de pré-pupa deu-se no décimo dia onde cessa a movimentação e inicia a eliminação de mecônio. O estágio pupal ocorreu em no mínimo oito e máximo 12 dias, finaliza o ciclo com a emergência de machos e cerca de vinte quatro horas após, há emergência das fêmeas. O parasitoidismo sobre as espécies hospedeiras foi maior em M. domestica com 63% seguido de M. stabulans e C. megacephala com 27,5% e 16,5%, respectivamente. As medidas morfométricas confirmaram a preferência por M. domestica devido ao maior tamanho dos espécimes desenvolvidos neste hospedeiro. Não houve diferença significativa quanto ao tamanho dos parasitóides que se desenvolveram em pupas de M. stabulans e C. megacephala bem como não houve influencia no tamanho do parasitóide em relação ao sexo. Os dados obtidos sobre o parasitismo de S. endius nos diferentes hospedeiros indicam que nas condições deste estudo o hospedeiro mais adequado é M. domestica. Com base na fenologia de S. endius estudos pormenorizados poderão ser conduzidos afim de aprimorar a criação deste parasitóide em condições de laboratório permitindo viabilizar o controle biológico de M. domestica bem como de M. stabulans e C. megacephala.

The gammaproteobacterium Arsenophonus nasoniae infects Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a parasitic wasp that attacks filth flies. This bacterium kills virtually all male offspring of infected females. Female wasps transmit A. nasoniae both vertically (from mother to offspring) and horizontally (to unrelated Nasonia developing in the same fly). This latter mode may enable the bacterium to colonize novel species and spread throughout a filth fly-parasitoid guild. This spread may be important for maintenance of the bacterium. The ecology of novel hosts may be significantly impacted by infection. The actual and potential host range of A. nasoniae was assessed. I used Arsenophonus-specific primers to screen a large sample of filth flies and their parasitoids. The bacterium infects a wide range of wasp species in the environment. The potential host range was determined by inoculating three wasp and one fly species with an isolate of A. nasoniae from Lethbridge, AB. The bacterium successfully infected all insects and was transmitted by two wasp species. It reduced host longevity, but did not kill males, in Trichomalopsis sarcophagae. It also caused pupal mortality in Musca domestica.

Orientador: Claudio José Von Zuben / Banca: Aricio Xavier Linhares / Banca: Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy / Resumo: A ordem Diptera desperta grande interesse nos estudos científicos devido à importância agrícola, sanitária, veterinária e forense, dependendo da espécie em estudo. A espécie Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) foi introduzida há cerca de 30 anos no Brasil e é de considerável importância médico-sanitária, além de poder ser utilizada em estudos forenses, na estimativa de intervalo pós-morte (IPM) em humanos. A espécie Musca domestica (Linnaeus) tem distribuição cosmopolita e é bastante comum no ambiente urbano e pode também transportar formas infectantes de muitas doenças. Nessas moscas, após o desenvolvimento dos imaturos em substratos discretos e efêmeros, as larvas abandonam o substrato alimentar em busca de um sítio para pupação, processo chamado de dispersão larval pós-alimentar. No entanto, em ambiente natural, tanto a fonte alimentar como o substrato de pupação podem estar contaminados com substâncias químicas, sendo que algumas destas podem ser de interesse forense ou ser aplicadas no controle de pragas. Assim, o principal objetivo do presente trabalho é procurar dar contribuição a um melhor conhecimento dos efeitos do ansiolítico Diazepam [Diazepam NQ® 10mg] sobre o desenvolvimento larval e comportamento de dispersão larval e do inseticida Fipronil [Regent 800 WG®] sobre a dispersão pós-alimentar das larvas de duas espécies de moscas (C. megacephala e M. domestica). Na análise do desenvolvimento larval, pôde-se observar que a presença de Diazepam no substrato alimentar aumenta o tempo de desenvolvimento larval, retardando o ganho de massa por tempo nas duas espécies estudadas, quando se compara ao grupo controle. Já o comportamento de dispersão larval foi alterado na presença de Fipronil ou de Diazepam, em relação ao controle, sendo que a profundidade de enterramento e a distância das pupas do centro de irradiação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Some species of Diptera have a great medical and veterinary importance, acting as vectors of many diseases, addiction of having a considerable agricultural, commercial and ecological importance and other ones having forensic importance. Flies utilize discrete and ephemeral breeding sites for larval nutrition. After the exhaustion of food, larvae begin dispersing in search of sites to pupate or to additional food sources, a process referred as post feeding larval dispersal. However, in natural environments these breeding or feeding sites can be contaminated with chemical substances. Some of these substances can be of forensic interest or be applied in pest control. In the present study, the main objective was to investigate the effect of Diazepam® [Diazepam NQ® 10mg] and Fipronil® [Regent 800 WG®] on immature stages of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae). The larvae were reared on artificial diet and rabbit liver on which different dosages of Diazepam were administrated in order to study the effects of this drug on the development and post feeding larval dispersal of the two species. Different dosages of the insecticide Fipronil were disposed in circular arena used as pupation substrate to investigate the effects on post feeding larval dispersal. The results showed that time required for larval development were significantly longer in colonies fed in contact with Diazepam than in the control ones, delaying the increase of mass per unit time in the two studied species. The larval dispersal behavior was modified in the presence of Fipronil and Diazepam, in comparison to arenas without the drugs. It was also observed that the burial depth and distance of the irradiation center were shorter than in the control groups for the two species... (Complete abstract click electronic address below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-08-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:40:14Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gomes_g_me_rcla.pdf: 2270133 bytes, checksum: d4e2f6bb8bc021e8025a823eb3f7a791 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A ordem Diptera desperta grande interesse nos estudos científicos devido à importância agrícola, sanitária, veterinária e forense, dependendo da espécie em estudo. A espécie Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) foi introduzida há cerca de 30 anos no Brasil e é de considerável importância médico-sanitária, além de poder ser utilizada em estudos forenses, na estimativa de intervalo pós-morte (IPM) em humanos. A espécie Musca domestica (Linnaeus) tem distribuição cosmopolita e é bastante comum no ambiente urbano e pode também transportar formas infectantes de muitas doenças. Nessas moscas, após o desenvolvimento dos imaturos em substratos discretos e efêmeros, as larvas abandonam o substrato alimentar em busca de um sítio para pupação, processo chamado de dispersão larval pós-alimentar. No entanto, em ambiente natural, tanto a fonte alimentar como o substrato de pupação podem estar contaminados com substâncias químicas, sendo que algumas destas podem ser de interesse forense ou ser aplicadas no controle de pragas. Assim, o principal objetivo do presente trabalho é procurar dar contribuição a um melhor conhecimento dos efeitos do ansiolítico Diazepam [Diazepam NQ® 10mg] sobre o desenvolvimento larval e comportamento de dispersão larval e do inseticida Fipronil [Regent 800 WG®] sobre a dispersão pós-alimentar das larvas de duas espécies de moscas (C. megacephala e M. domestica). Na análise do desenvolvimento larval, pôde-se observar que a presença de Diazepam no substrato alimentar aumenta o tempo de desenvolvimento larval, retardando o ganho de massa por tempo nas duas espécies estudadas, quando se compara ao grupo controle. Já o comportamento de dispersão larval foi alterado na presença de Fipronil ou de Diazepam, em relação ao controle, sendo que a profundidade de enterramento e a distância das pupas do centro de irradiação... / Some species of Diptera have a great medical and veterinary importance, acting as vectors of many diseases, addiction of having a considerable agricultural, commercial and ecological importance and other ones having forensic importance. Flies utilize discrete and ephemeral breeding sites for larval nutrition. After the exhaustion of food, larvae begin dispersing in search of sites to pupate or to additional food sources, a process referred as post feeding larval dispersal. However, in natural environments these breeding or feeding sites can be contaminated with chemical substances. Some of these substances can be of forensic interest or be applied in pest control. In the present study, the main objective was to investigate the effect of Diazepam® [Diazepam NQ® 10mg] and Fipronil® [Regent 800 WG®] on immature stages of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae). The larvae were reared on artificial diet and rabbit liver on which different dosages of Diazepam were administrated in order to study the effects of this drug on the development and post feeding larval dispersal of the two species. Different dosages of the insecticide Fipronil were disposed in circular arena used as pupation substrate to investigate the effects on post feeding larval dispersal. The results showed that time required for larval development were significantly longer in colonies fed in contact with Diazepam than in the control ones, delaying the increase of mass per unit time in the two studied species. The larval dispersal behavior was modified in the presence of Fipronil and Diazepam, in comparison to arenas without the drugs. It was also observed that the burial depth and distance of the irradiation center were shorter than in the control groups for the two species... (Complete abstract click electronic address below)