Parking now beneath a porch light near you is the imperial moth (Eacles imperialis). Imperial moth This breathtaking giant silk moth, with a wingspan of nearly 7 inches, lights up the night with its golden color. It’s hard to imagine what livestock pastures might look like without the contribution of these small flies and their incredibly important role in the natural decomposition of excrement in the fields. A quick life cycle allows the fly to produce up to five generations in a year. Within three weeks, they burrow into the soil and pupate. Upon hatching, the larvae actively feed and grow inside the pile. This not only protects them from the scorching sun but also keeps them from drowning in puddles that might form during rain events. After mating, which occurs atop the pile, the females carefully place their eggs on the sloped surfaces of the excrement. Females rely on fresh manure upon which to deposit their eggs. While females spend time feeding on flower nectar, the males sit on the dung awaiting their arrival, often preying on blow flies. The dung fly’s life revolves around fresh feces, especially that of the bovine nature. Measuring up to 9 mm in length, the males, with their vivid golden hue, are covered with tiny bristles giving them a furry appearance, while females, with fewer hairs, are smaller and a duller shade of yellow. It would seem that an insect present in such large numbers might be considered a pest, yet the golden dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) is a unique and important component of the farm ecosystem. In fact, gold is all around us - you just have to open your eyes.įor many with livestock, the sight of a fresh cowpie covered with fuzzy yellow flies is a common sight. Sunrises and sunsets are many shades of gold. It’s a time to work in the garden, have picnics, hike with the dog, play at the park and enjoy the longer days. Summer is a golden time filled with sunshine, warmth and activity.
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