Laboratory Observations on the Life Cycle and Habits of Hister abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

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Abstract
The biology and behavior of Hister abbreviatus F. were studied in the laboratory to define the developmental history and habits of this manure-attracted beetle and to evaluate its potential as a control agent of immature stages of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). Females deposit eggs in soil (0.5–5 cm deep) beneath the manure. Embryonic incubation averaged 2.3 days; larval development (three instars) required ca. 12.5 days and pupal development averaged 11.5 days at 27°C. Development from egg to adult averaged 26.3 days at 27°C. Precopulatory behavior characteristic of that observed for H. coenosus Erichson, H. incertus Marseul, and Saprinus pennsylvanicus Paykull is described. Eggs, larvae, and newly formed pupae of the horn fly were exposed to varying numbers (1–5) of adult H. abbreviatus. Predation during egg-to-pupa and larva-to-pupa developmental periods resulted in mean horn fly population reductions of 96.0 and 97.9%, respectively; pupal predation resulted in a mean horn fly population reduction of 50.9%. There was no significant difference in predation when predator density was increased.

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