The Rolling of Food by Dung Beetles Affects the Oviposition of Competing Flies

Author(s)

Ix-Balam, Manuel A. ^[1] ; Oliveira, Maria G. A. ^[1] ; Louzada, Julio ^[2] ; McNeil, Jeremy N. ^[3] ; Lima, Eraldo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Entomol, BR-36570900 Vicosa, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Biol, BR-37200000 Lavras, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Western Ontario, Dept Biol, London, ON N6A 5B7 - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INSECTS; v. 9, n. 3 SEP 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Flies are the main competitors of dung beetles for oviposition sites and rolling dung beetles relocate their food to reduce interspecific competition. Furthermore, dung beetles deposit chemical substances on the food ball that may repel fly larvae and certain predators. In the present study, using Deltochilum furcatum, a dung beetle that does not exhibit parental care and the blow-fly, Lucilia cuprina, we tested the hypothesis that pygidial secretions deposited on the food ball could also make it less attractive as an oviposition site for flies. Food balls rolled by either D. furcatum males or females received significantly fewer eggs that balls that had not been rolled by beetles. Also, flies laid significantly fewer eggs on food balls treated with secretions collected from male pygidial glands. Reduced fly oviposition may be a direct effect of compounds the beetles deposited, acting as an allomone, and/or an indirect negative effect on the microbial community that stimulates fly oviposition. A model of the reproductive biology of this species is proposed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50871-0 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Science and Technology of Semiochemicals in Agriculture
• Grantee: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants