10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Dung beetles are highly regarded for their contribution in the reduction of horseflies that breed in dung pads. Fresh mammalian dung pads remain an essential resource for different dung-breeding flies from the families of Tabanidae, Muscidae, and Scarabaeidae. Members of these dipteran flies are known to be pests and vectors of disease-causing pathogens of large mammals. The role of dung beetles in influencing occurrence of dung-breeding flies was investigated. Two dung beetle species (Kheper lamarcki and Copris elphenor) were used in a semi-field experiment. Collection of dung beetle species was carried out in January, during their active seasonal period, using buffalo dung-baited pitfall traps. Adult horse flies were trapped using an Nzi trap baited with cow urine. The flies were introduced to fresh buffalo dung patches and allowed to oviposit over a period of 3 hours. Eggs hatched and first instar maggots were used in the experiment. 4 experimental treatments ( i) K. lamarcki alone, ii) C. elphenor alone iii) combination of K. lamarcki and C. elphenor beetles, iv) dung with no beetles - control) were arranged in an RCBD design replicated 4 times. 20 maggots were introduced in each dung pad, while 8 beetles were introduced to the dung pads. The experiment ran for 3 weeks. Data collected were the number of horseflies emerging from the dung pads. The introduction of dung beetle species to the dung pads increased the mortality of horseflies. The highest mortality of horseflies was observed when the two dung beetle species were present in the same pad. The disruption of dung pads by the activities of dung beetles increased the larval mortality of horseflies by altering the physical properties of the dung. Dung beetles may be used as a biological control for reducing the number of disease-vectoring horseflies in different ecosystems.