Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of the Cues Used in the Host Finding Behavior During the Phoretic Association Ceroptera rufitarsis (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) and Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

  • Published:
Journal of Insect Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ceroptera rufitarsis (Meigen) (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) is a tiny fly phoretic on several roller dung beetles of the genus Scarabaeus L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). We investigated the attractiveness of Scarabaeus sacer L. and S. cicatricosus Lucas both under field and laboratory conditions. Several cues potentially responsible for the host finding behavior were tested in order to determine the basis of attraction of Ceroptera rufitarsis to Scarabaeus beetles. Visual cues, especially host movements, constituted the main factor responsible for host finding behavior and host choice while chemical cues did not play any role in host discrimination.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aluja M, Prokopy RJ (1993) Host odour and visual stimulus interaction during intra tree host finding behaviour of Rhagoletis pomonella flies. J Chem Ecol 19:2671–2696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cambefort Y (1991) From saprophagy to coprophagy. In: Hanski I, Cambefort Y (eds) Dung beetle ecology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp 22–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Cambefort Y, Hanski I (1991) Dung beetle population biology. In: Hanski I, Cambefort Y (eds) Dung beetle ecology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp 36–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Cournoyer M, Boivin G (2005) Short distance cues used by the adult parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Euphorinae) of host selection of a novel host Listronotus oregonensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Insect Behav 18:577–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabre JH (1897) Souvenirs Entomologiques. Etudes sur l'instinct et les moeurs des insectes. Cinquieme serie, Editions Delagrave, Paris

  • Farish DJ, Axtell RC (1971) Phoresy redefined and examined in Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae). Acarologia 13:523–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Glida H, Bertrand M, Peyrusse V (2003) A limiting factor in the abundance of predatory phoretic mites (Acari: Macrochelidae): the seasonal abundance of their phorionts (dung beetles) in southern France. Can J Zool 81:2066–2072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godfay HCJ (1994) Parasitoid: Behavioural and evolutionary ecology. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris MO, Miller JR (1988) Host-acceptance behaviour in an herbivorous fly, Delia antique. J Insect Physiol 34:179–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris MO, Rose S (1990) Chemical, colour, and tactile cues influencing oviposition behavior of the Hessian fly (Diptera: Ceridomyiidae). Environ Entomol 19:303–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesne P (1896) Moeurs de Limosina sacra Meig. (Famille Muscidae, tribu Borborenae). Phenomenes de transport mutuel chez les animaux articules. Origine du parasitisme chez les insectes Dipteres. Bull Soc Entomolog Fr:162–165

  • Lobo JM, Martin-Piera F, Veiga CM (1988) Las trampas pitfall con cebo, sus posibilidades en el estudio de las comunidades coprofagas de Scarabaeidae (Col.). I. Caracteristicas determinantes de su capacidad de captura. Rev Ecol Biol Sol 25:77–100

    Google Scholar 

  • McAuslane HJ, Vinson S, Williams HJ (1991b) Stimuli influencing host microhabitat location in the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis. Entomol Exp Appl 58:267–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monteith LG (1956) Influence of host movement on selection of hosts by Drino bohamica Mesn. as determined in an olfactometer. Can Entomol 88:583–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morehead SA, Feener DH (2000) Visual and chemical cues used in host location and acceptance by a dipteran parasitoid. J Insect Behav 13:613–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niogret J, Lumaret JP, Bertrand M (2006) Semiochemicals mediating host-finding behaviour in the phoretic association between Macrocheles saceri (Acari: Mesostigmata) and Scarabaeus species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Chemoecol 16:129–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petersson E, Sivinski J (1996) Attraction of a kleptoparasitic Sphaerocerid fly (Norrbomia spp. and Canthon sp.). J. Insect Behav 9:695–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philipps CB (2002) Observations of oviposition behavior of Microctonus hyperodae Loan and M. aethiopoids Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae). J Hym Res 11:326–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Prokopy RJ, Owens ED (1983) Visual detection of plant of host plants by herbivorous insects. Ann Rev Entomol 28:337–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prokopy RJ, Bergweiler C, Galarza L, Schwerin J (1994) Prior experience affects the visual ability of Rhagoletis pomonella flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to find host fruit. J Insect Behav 7:663–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roháček J (1998) Family Sphaeroceridae. In: Papp L, Darvas B (Ed) Contributions to a Manual of Palaearctic Diptera, vol 3. Science Herald Budapest. pp 463–496.

  • Rougon D, Rougon C (1980) Contribution à la biologie des Coléoptères coprophages en région sahélienne. Etude du développement d’Onthophagus gazella (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Rev Ecol Biol Sol 17:379–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivinski J (1983) The natural history of a sphaerocerid Diptera fauna. Ecol Entomol 8:419–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sivinski J (1984) Sexual conflict and choice in a phoretic fly, Borborillus frigipennis (Sphaeroceridae). Ann Entomol Soc Am 77:232–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Sivinski J, Marshall S, Petersson E (1999) Kleptoparasitism and phoresy in the Diptera. Fla Entomol 82:179–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veiga CM, Lobo JM, Martin-Piera F (1989) Las trampas pitfall con cebo, sus posibilidades en el estudio de las comunidades coprofagas de Scarabaeidae (Col.). II. Analisis de efectividad. Rev Ecol Biol Sol 26:91–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Wäckers FL, Lewis WJ (1994) Olfactory and visual learning and their combined influence on host site location by the parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Cresson). Biol Control 4:105–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the French Entomological Society (SEF; grant Germaine Cousin, Paris). The authors thank L. Papp (Hungarian Natural History Museum) and M. Martinez (INRA Montpellier, France) for Ceroptera species identification. We thank D. Ghaioule and N. Maatouf (National Center of Forestry of Morocco, DREF Rabat Agdal) for field assistance, S. Pla for technical help and anonymous referees whose comments were very useful.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, 13601 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, Fl, 33158, USA

    J. Niogret

  2. UMR 5175 CEFE (Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive), Ecologie des Arthropodes, Laboratoire de Zoogéographie, Université Montpellier 3, Route de Mende, F-34199 Montpellier Cedex 5, Montpellier, France

    J. Niogret & J. P. Lumaret

Authors
  1. J. Niogret
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. P. Lumaret
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Niogret.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Niogret, J., Lumaret, J.P. Identification of the Cues Used in the Host Finding Behavior During the Phoretic Association Ceroptera rufitarsis (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) and Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). J Insect Behav 22, 464–472 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-009-9185-0

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-009-9185-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation