The Emergence Rhythm of the Dung-Fly, Scopeuma (=Scatophaga) stercoraria (L.)

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Abstract
Glass jars of 3-qt. capacity were prepd. with broken stone at the bottom covered with a layer of soil on which cow dung was placed. The open ends of the jars were covered with muslin which allowed the flies to be removed as they emerged. Different jars were placed in constant light, constant darkness, and in natural light changes of day and night. Under the latter normal conditions there was a peak of emergence between 9 a. m. and 2 p. m. each day and practically none appeared between 8 p. m. and 6 a. m. Males emerged about a day later than the [female][female], although no difference occurred in the hour of day at which the 2 sexes emerged. Jars in constant light or darkness showed less pronounced peaks of emergence with each sex. temp. appeared unimportant. The data suggest that a rhythm of emergence is inherited but that alteration of rhythmical environmental conditions can modify it.

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