Effect of surface material on electrostatic charging of houseflies ( Musca domestica L)

Houseflies ( Musca domestica L) accumulated electrostatic charges when walking over clean, uncharged dielectric surfaces. The charges elicited on a walking housefly by a range of materials were quantified, allowing a triboelectric series to be determined relative to M domestica . This ranged from surfaces that charged individuals positively, eg Correx (corrugated polypropylene) [+54.1 (±4.2)pC], to those that applied a negative charge, eg clear cast acrylic [−14.9 (±2.9)pC]. Maximum positive and negative charges accumulated by individual M domestica were +73 and −27 pC. Replicate measurements on the same fly and surface showed little variation. Variation between individuals was not related to sex and was not consistent between surfaces. Different materials charged M domestica significantly differently and individual flies had significantly different charging properties. Variation in temperature between 21.3 °C and 24.7 °C and humidity between 24% and 41% RH significantly affected charge accumulated by M domestica on some surfaces, although further experimentation is needed to confirm this. The implications of this work are discussed in relation to insect trap design and pollination biology. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry