Proceedings International Stable Fly Workshop

Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) is an economically damaging pest impacting livestock production throughout much of the world. Environmentally sustainable and cost-effective tools for the management of this pest are needed. Several control technologies are currently in use; however, consistent control has not been achieved. An international workshop was held in Costa Rica 16- 20 April 2018 to address issues created by outbreaks of this cosmopolitan pest. Stable flies have been observed developing in substrates composed of fresh decomposing residues of several crop plants including pineapple, coffee pulp, citrus foliage, fruits, vegetables, oil palm, sugar cane, banana rachis and rice straw. Internationally, stable flies are an increasingly important, emerging, pest with social and economic importance for dairy and beef farmers including public and political concerns in affected communities. They are among the most important arthropod pests of livestock in Brazil, Costa Rica, and USA. Although the economic threshold for stable flies has been established at 15-20 flies per animal, outbreaks of over 1000 stable flies per animal were observed in 2016 and 2017 in Costa Rica. Such infestation levels can reduce livestock productivity to near zero and cause mortality. Workshop attendees shared lessons learned in Costa Rica, USA, Europe, Africa and Brazil and developed plans for research on methodologies and technologies needed for the management of this plague.