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The predominant predatory arthropods breeding in manure at two census sites in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, were found to be Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae), Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) (Acarina: Macrochelidae), and Philonthus sordidus (Gravenhorst) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). This was similar to other localities in the world. At both sites, adults of C. pumilio appeared within a week of manure cleanout and subsequently increased in numbers. The majority of C. pumilio, P. sordidus and M. muscaedomesticae showed preference for a narrow range of manure moisture (70-75 %). Very few predators occurred at moisture levels above 80 %. The three species showed a wide range of temperature tolerance (12-31 °C). Carcinops pumilio preferred aged manure, and M. muscaedomesticae and P. sordidus fresh manure. Thus they could be used to complement one another in IPM augmentation strategies.
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