Biodegradation of Poultry Manure by House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

This study was made to assess the nature and extent of changes in moisture and mass of poultry manure that result from feeding activity by house fly larvae (Musca domestica L.). Larval density and different concentrations of fly-degraded manure in the developmental medium were related to changes in manure mass, moisture, and dry matter content. In laboratory assays, larval density changed all manure parameters but the effect was most notable at the level of 600 larvae per 100 g manure. In factorial experiments, the concentration of degraded manure (5 levels), but not larval density (4 levels), changed each manure parameter, whereas both manure mass and moisture content were affected by the 2-factor interaction. Under conditions in the field, manure parameters did not vary in response to larval density, although feeding activity reduced manure mass by 75%, moisture content by 89%, and manure dry matter content by 35%.