DISPERSION PATTERNS OF ARTHROPODS ASSOCIATED WITH POULTRY MANURE IN ENCLOSED HOUSES IN MASSACHUSETTS: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECTS OF MANURE MOISTURE AND ACCUMULATION TIME

Arthropod predator-prey distribution patterns were examined in poultry manure with respect to spatial position, manure moisture content and age of the manure habitat. The predators, Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) (Acarina: Macrochelidae) and their sphaerocerid and acarid prey were concentrated in the surface region of the manure and were more abundant towards the crest than the bases of rows of mature droppings. Fly larvae, acarid mites, M. muscaedomesticae females and Ca. pumilio larvae were more abundant in wetter than dry manure. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae females and Ca. pumilio adults appeared to prefer older to fresher manure, even though prey were more abundant in the latter.