File:
<scatopha.htm> [For educational
purposes only] Glossary <Principal Natural Enemy Groups > <Citations> <Home> |
DIPTERA, Scatophagidae (Cordyluridae)
-- <Images>
& <Juveniles> Adult scatophagids are known
as "dung flies," and some researchers include them with
Muscidae. Adults may be found in
pastures and meadows, swarming over fresh bovine dung. There are also scavenger species along
coastal areas and arctic and boreal types (Cole 1969). Adults of some species are predaceous on
smaller Diptera, especially of families Bibionidae, Simuliidae, Anthomyiidae
and Mycetophilidae. Scatophaga stercoraria L. has been observed to suck the body fluids of its
prey through a puncture made in the neck.
A few species attack Cicadellidae, and others are thought to be
parasitic in caterpillars, although the latter records are in doubt (Clausen
1940/62). References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references
may be found at: MELVYL
Library] Clausen, C.
P. 1940/1962.
Entomophagous Insects.
McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., NY. & London. 688 p.
[reprinted 1962 by Hafner Publ. Co.]. Cole, F.
R. 1969.
The Flies of Western North America.
Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles. 693 p. |