Failure of Hydrotaea aenescens, a larval predator of the housefly, Musca domestica, to establish in wet poultry manure on a commercial farm in Florida, USA

Hydrotaea aenescens (Weidemann) (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae and pupae were r eleased in high-rise pullet houses in Pascoe County, Florida, U.S.A., for b iological control of houseflies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), in three separate tests during a 14-month period (April 1994-May 1995) and di d not become established. However, H. aenescens believed to be from our rel eases did become established at a caged-layer farm 0.3 km from the release farm. Moisture in pullet house manure generally exceeded 80%, which is abov e the level at which H. aenescens is reared in colony. Caged-layer manure w as also very wet, but crusted areas provided sites for H. aenescens larval development. Results demonstrate that H. aenescens adults will disperse fro m release sites and populate preferred sites without becoming a nuisance.