Oviposition and Development of the Face Fly in Feces of Six Species of Animals1

Although bovine manure has heretofore been considered the substrate of choice for propagation of Musca autumnalis De Geer, evidence presented here suggests that oviposition and larval development may successfully occur in manures of other animal species. Fresh bison and swine feces served as substrates for larval development comparable to that of bovine manure, as evidenced by similar pupal weight and percent adult emergence. Oviposition also readily occurred in fresh feces of bison and swine. Horse manure supported satisfactory larval development but was an unsatisfactory oviposition site, apparently because of its coarse texture. Fresh sheep and deer feces were unsatisfactory for larval development and adult oviposition, apparently because of their pelleted form and lower moisture contents. Development and oviposition readily occurred in such lyophilized feces reconstituted to a moisture content comparable to that of fresh bovine manure.