Onthophagus gazella : 1 Effect on Survival of Horn Flies 2 in the Laboratory

Abstract

When varying numbers of pairs (0-100) of an Afro-Asian dung beetle, Onthophagus gazellus (F.), were exposed to varying quantities of (454-1362g) of bovine manure containing 100 or 200 eggs of larvae of Haematobia irritans (L.) in the laboratory, the control of emerging flies ranged from 0 to 98.4%. Slightly greater control was achieved when the beetles were placed on manure that contained eggs than when they were placed on manure that initially contained larvae. Adult flies that emerged were markedly smaller than flies from manure without beetles [cf RAE/B 59, 1906]. It is considered that the establishment of O. gazellus and related species in the United States would be beneficial and could reduce breeding of H. irritans.