02346nas a2200205   4500008004100000245012200041210006900163300001200232490000700244520159400251653002901845653001701874653002001891653001801911653001901929653001601948100001901964700001901983856013802002       1997                        eng d00aCoprophilous arthropod community from Argentina with species of potential use as biocontrol agents against pest flies0 aCoprophilous arthropod community from Argentina with species of   a191-2000 v263 aDung-inhabiting pest flies are one of the main problems associated with the accumulation of cattle dung. This work analyzes the diversity and dynamics of a Coprophilous community from northern Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a search for potential biocontrol agents. Thirty-SH dung pads of 3 age categories and 4 microhabitats were collected on each sampling date and examined for their arthropod fauna. Some of the species with undefined feeding behavior were subjected to feeding trials in the laboratory. We found 34 coprophagous species, 47 predators, and 13 parasitoids. The combination of the results of the feeding trials, co-oc- currence and abundance data of the prey and predator populations, and direct Held obser- vations were used to put together a trophic web and hypothesis on the dynamics of the community. Dung scarabs cause significant reductions in immature dung fly survival by burying and desiccating large amounts of dung. The Philonthini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are the most abundant and rich predator group, although they are slow to respond to variations in fly populations. However, predatory flies show the same abundance curves as their prey flies. Predatory beetles and flies, dung scarabs, and pupal parasitoids cause additive mortality to the fly population, whereas larval parasitoids cause some compensatory mortality. Four species of staphylinids, 1 predatory muscid, and a coprophagous scarab could have potential as biocontrol agents. The perspectives of success and convenience of a horn fly biocontrol scheme in south- ern South America are discussed.10abiocontrol of pest flies10aDung beetles10aflv parasitoids10afly predators10amanure ecology10aPhilonthini1 aWalsh, Cabrera1 aCordo, Hugo, A  uhttps://scarabnet.myspecies.info/coprophilous-arthropod-community-argentina-species-potential-use-biocontrol-agents-against-pest-flie