Flies and their environments: microbial interactions via odorants

Flies are one of groups of pests that have caused significant damages in animal production. They are also capable of contaminating food and transmitting diseases. The present presentation reports our recent findings on studying odorant-mediate microbial community in fly larval development and oviposition sites. Volatile attractant compounds were identified. Novel botanical-based antibacterial agents were also explored, with some were demonstrated as larval growth inhibitors and also used as oviposition deterrents. Studies were further carried out to understand which bacterial species or their complex community that is important for their fly larval growth, as well as how they affect infochemical interactions between filth flies and their host environments. The outcomes from these studies will assist for further development in novel fly control strategy via push-pull strategy.