Jb. Coupland, INFLUENCE OF SNAIL FECES AND MUCUS ON OVIPOSITION AND LARVAL BEHAVIOROF PHERBELLIA-CINERELLA (DIPTERA, SCIOMYZIDAE), Journal of chemical ecology, 22(2), 1996, pp. 183-189
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.