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The effect of the dung pad fauna on the emergence ofMusca tempestiva [Dipt.: Muscidae] from dung pads in southern France

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Abstract

The emergence ofMusca tempestiva Fallèn, from cow pads in southern France was reduced by a mean of 98% and 96% respectively in nine experiments concluded in 1979 and 1981, by the action of the complete dung fauna. Fauna emerging from dung pads and captured in simultaneous trapping using dung baited pitfall traps consisted of 13 Dipterous species (9 Muscidae, 2 Sepsidae and 2 Sphaeroceridae), 25 Coleopterous species (7 Scarabaeidae, 1 Geotrupidae, 2 Aphodiidae, 3 Hydrophilidae, 12 Staphylinidae), 3 Hymenopterous parasites and 1 species of macrochelid and 2 species of parasitoid mites carried phoretically by the dung beetles. The total number of insects and mites per trap was usually small. The Staphylinidae which included 4Aleochara species of whichAleochara tristits Gravenhorst andA. bipustulata (L.) are known parasitoids of Diptera pupae, and 6 predatory species, were the most abundant insects present. Whilst the overall abundance of insects and mites trapped was relatively low it is probable that the most important factor in the control ofM. tempestiva was the combined influence of the different elements making up the dung pad fauna.

Résumé

Musca tempestiva Fallén (Diptera: Muscidae) est une espèce coprophage dont les larves sont très communes dans les bouses de vache du Midi de la France. Les émergences d'adultes ont été réduites respectivement de 98% et de 96% en 1979 et 1981 sous l'action de l'ensemble de la faune des bouses. Cette faune se compose de 13 espèces de Diptères (9 Muscidae, 2 Sepsidae, 2 Sphaeroceridae), de 25 espèces de Coléoptères (7 Scarabaeidae, 1 Geotrupidae, 2 Aphodiidae, 3 Hydrophilidae, 12 Staphylinidae), de 3 espèces d'Hyménoptères et de 3 espèces d'Acariens phorétiques de Coléoptères. Les espèces parasites et prédatrices, en particulier les Staphylinidae (dont quatre espèces paraistoïdes du genreAleochera), sont les plus nombreuses. Toutefois, l'abondance globale des insectes et des acariens est relativement faible: il est vraisemblable que le facteur le plus important dans le contrôle deM. tempestiva réside dans l'influence combinée des différentes composantes faunistiques de cette communauté coprophage.

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  1. A. A. Kirk

    Present address: EBCL, USDA/ARS, B.P. 4168, Montpellier, France

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  1. CSIRO BCU, 34100, Montpellier, France

    A. A. Kirk

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Kirk, A.A. The effect of the dung pad fauna on the emergence ofMusca tempestiva [Dipt.: Muscidae] from dung pads in southern France. Entomophaga 37, 507–514 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372320

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372320

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