Population dynamics of some synanthropic fly species in different habitats in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The population dynamics of five synanthropic fly species, Chrysomyia rufifacies, Musca d. domestica Muscina stabulans F. Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis, and Stomoxys calcitrans, were studied at three different habitats in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. The chosen habitats were the slaughter house, the cattle market and the rubbish dumps. The number of flies caught per twenty sticky bands was taken monthly, for a whole year, as an index to the fly population at that habitat during that month. M. d. domestica was the most abundant fly species; it made up nearly 98%, 81% and 75% of the total synanthropic fly population at the rubbish dumps, the cattle market and the slaughter house, respectively. It reached its maximum abundance in May and minimum occurrence in January. House flies were collected throughout the year and survived conditions seemed to be unsuitable for other species.