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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #125398
Title: SUBFAMILY COPROMYZINAE. IN: WORLD CATALOG OF SPHAEROCERIDAE (DIPTERA)

Author
item Norrbom, Allen
item ROHACEK, JINDFICH - SLEZSKE ZEMSKE MUZEUM
item MARSHALL, STEPHEN - UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Lesser dung flies (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) are one of the most common types of flies in agroecosystems. They breed in decaying organic matter, such as compost and excrement. The larvae feed on microorganisms and decaying substances, and their tunneling through the material speeds its breakdown into soil. They are important to agriculture because of this role ein nutrient recyling. More than 2,000 species are known throughout the world. This catalog makes available what is known of their distribution and provides the correct name for each species. This information is important to ecologists, agronomists, or anyone else who wishes to communicate about these flies.

Technical Abstract: A catalog of the more than 2,000 species of Sphaeroceridae is provided, including the currently valid name, any invalid names, type data, distribution, and major references for each species.