www.small-beings.org
www.small-beings.org
Die Gelbe Dungfliege oder Gemeine Kotfliege (Scathophaga stercoraria) ist eine Fliege aus der Familie der Dungfliegen (Scathophagidae).
Dieser Text beschreibt eine Fliegenart mit Merkmalen wie einer Körperlänge von 5-10 Millimetern, einer braunen Färbung, dichter Behaarung und gelblichen Gesicht und Palpen. Die Fliegen sind in der Paläarktis und Nordamerika verbreitet, insbesondere in der Nähe von Rinderweiden. Sie besuchen Blüten und ernähren sich auch von kleinen Insekten. Die Paarung findet auf frischem Dung statt, wo die Eier abgelegt werden. Die daraus entstehenden Larven fressen andere Insektenlarven im Dung.
Scathophaga stercoraria, commonly known as the yellow dung fly or the golden dung fly, is one of the most familiar and abundant flies in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. As its common name suggests, it is often found on the feces of large mammals, such as horses, cattle, sheep, deer, and wild boar, where it goes to breed. The distribution of S. stercoraria is likely influenced by human agriculture, especially in northern Europe and North America. The Scathophaga are integral in the animal kingdom due to their role in the natural decomposition of dung in fields. They are also very important in the scientific world due to their short life cycles and susceptibility to experimental manipulations; thus, they have contributed significant knowledge about animal behavior.
Scathophaga stercoraria, also known as the yellow dung fly, is a sexually dimorphic species found in cooler temperate regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. The adult males have a bright golden-yellow color, while females are duller with green-brown tinges. They primarily feed on smaller insects and also consume nectar and dung. Their reproductive success depends on factors such as sperm competition, nutrition, and environmental temperature. The species has a short lifespan of one to two months and their life cycle involves laying eggs on dung, with larvae feeding and pupating in the soil. Yellow dung flies have phenotypic plasticity, with body size and development rate varying based on factors such as food availability and temperature. They can be preyed upon by birds, bats, and other insects. The yellow dung fly is used as a model organism for various research studies, including reproductive physiology, genetics, and ecotoxicology. It plays a crucial role in decomposing waste in pastures, contributing to nutrient recycling and reducing pest fly populations. However, the use of veterinary drugs in livestock can have unintended adverse effects on yellow dung fly populations if not monitored carefully.