Lack of effect of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on the development of the dung beetle, Aphodius constans

The nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans may be used as a biological control agent of gastro-intestinal nematode larvae of ruminants by feeding the hosts with fungal spores. This trial was intended to search an eventual detrimental impact of the presence of spores of D. flagrans in high numbers in goat feces on the common dung beetle, Aphodius constans (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae). A. constans eggs were settled in feces derived from grazing goats fed spores at daily dose rates of 0, 0.25 × 106, 0.5 × 106 or 106 spores/kg BW. At the end of the incubation period, the number of adults that have emerged from eggs were counted and compared between dose rates. No difference in emergence rate between treatments can be seen. The presence of D. flagrans spores in goat feces, even in large numbers, did not alter the development of A. constans.