Evaluación del uso de señales acústicas y olfativas en la atracción de Philornis downsi y sus controladores biológicos

Abstract

The study covers the sensory mechanisms involved in the attraction of the avian parasitic fly Philornis downsi and its parasitoids, aiming to evaluate acoustic and olfactory signals to improve monitoring and control strategies, given the importance of mitigating the impact of this invasive species on biodiversity. The hypothesis proposed that P. downsi uses chick songs and thermal signals to locate nests, while the parasitoids would respond to specific olfactory cues. The study was conducted in three locations in the coastal region of Ecuador between May and July 2025, using traps baited with fermented papaya juice to capture P. downsi, experimental boxes for acoustic bioassays, and olfactory trap prototypes for parasitoids. The results showed that the papaya traps captured P. downsi in low numbers, with no significant attraction to acoustic or thermal stimuli, suggesting that the flies mainly rely on olfactory signals. In the laboratory, some parasitoid wasps responded to olfactory baits, but no captures were obtained in the field, indicating design limitations and the need for optimization. It is concluded that the management of P. downsi and its parasitoids requires sensory approaches based on specific odors and the incorporation of visual signals to enhance the efficiency of monitoring and biological control. Keywords: Biological control, Philornis downsi, parasitism, sensory signals, attraction.