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Mites of the familyMacrochelidae as predators of two species of dung-breeding pest flies

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Abstract

Nine species of macrochelid mites [Macrocheles “glaber” (Müller),M. aestivus Halliday,M. mammifer Berlese,M. peniculatus Berlese,M. robustulus (Berlese),M. merdarius (Berlese),M. peregrinus Krantz,M. eurygaster Krantz,Glyptholaspis confusa (Foà) were tested in the laboratory as predators of 2 species of dung-breeding pest flies (Musca vetustissima Walker,Haematobia irritans exigua de Meijere). The mites varied in their ability to attack the 2 fly species at both egg and larval stages. larger mites were generally more effective predators than the smaller species. The level of predation imposed byM. “glaber” onMusca vetustissima also varied with the developmental stage of both predator and prey.

Résumé

Neuf espèces d'Acariens Macrochelidae [Macrocheles “glaber” (Müller),M. aestivus Halliday,M. mammifer Berlese,M. peniculatus Berlese,M. robustulus (Berlese),M. merdarius (Berlese),M. peregrinus Krantz,M. eurygaster Krantz,Glyptholaspis confusa (Foà)] ont été essayés comme prédateurs de 2 espèces de mouches évoluant sur bouses (Musca vetustissima Walker,Haematobia irritans exigua de Meijère). La capacité prédatrice des acariens varie pour chaque espèce de mouche seion le stade de développement de celle-ci: oeuf ou larves. Les acariens les plus gros sont en général des prédateurs plus efficaces que les plus petits. Le niveau de prédation dû àM. “glaber” surM. vetustissima varie aussi en fonction du stade de développement du prédateur et de sa proie.

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Halliday, R.B., Holm, E. Mites of the familyMacrochelidae as predators of two species of dung-breeding pest flies. Entomophaga 32, 333–338 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372442

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372442

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