Insect Parasites Associated with Diptera Developing in Bovine Dung Pats on Central Missouri Pastures

Field studies were conducted from 1980 through 1982 to determine the insect parasites associated with immature Diptera developing in bovine dung pats on central Missouri pastures. Fourteen species of Diptera were recovered, along with 12 species of insect parasites. Fifty-four host-parasite associations were noted; 34 of these have not been recorded previously. The major host species were nonpest sepsids, anthomyiids, muscids, and sarcophagids. The relationship to parasitic mortality of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), and the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, is discussed.