The population ecology of Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae), along an urban-rural gradient of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PATITUCCI, LUCIANO DAMIÁN; MULIERI, PABLO RICARDO; MARILUIS, JUAN CARLOS; SCHNACK, J. A.

NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY

Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil

Lugar: Piracicaba - SP - Brasil; Año: 2010 vol. 39 p. 441 - 446

1519-566X

The false stable fl y, Muscina stabulans (Fallén), was surveyed along an urban-rural gradient at Almirante Brown, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Samples were taken at monthly intervals from May 2005 to April 2007. Hourly captures of adult fl ies (10:00 am – 04:00 pm) were taken at each  sampling date with a hand net. The baits used were 250 g of rotten cow liver and 250 g of fresh dog faeces exposed in shaded and sunny areas. The entire sample accumulated  58 specimens. The number of specimens captured during the second year was higher than in the fi rst year. Muscina stabulans was more abundant at urban-suburban sites. Females showed signifi cant preferences for cow liver. We caught more specimens in shaded areas. The hourly activity increased toward the afternoon at the three sites. The present work was the fi rst ecological study related to a muscid species in Argentina.