INFLUENCE OF SNAIL FECES AND MUCUS ON OVIPOSITION AND LARVAL BEHAVIOROF PHERBELLIA-CINERELLA (DIPTERA, SCIOMYZIDAE)

Larvae of the sciomyzid fly Pherbellia cinerella are voracious predato rs of terrestrial helicid snails. Eggs are deposited in areas where sn ails occur and larvae hunt actively for their prey. Snail feces and mu cus were tested to determine if they had any kairomone or stimulatory effects on P. cinerella. Adult flies oviposited more frequently on sub strates containing fresh snail feces than on substrates containing sna il mucus or water (control). However, mucus and feces both stimulated increased search behaviour in first instar larvae. These results are d iscussed in relation to snail biology, and the potential for augmentat ion of these flies in areas affected by pest snails.