Natural source of filth for an Australian fly
Musca vetustissima by imisstony.com
Musca vetustissima by imisstony.com
Australia is the only continent on which a faeces-dependent fly is an abundant nuisance in areas remote from human camps or livestock. A long-standing mystery is which animal provided the bulk of faeces for the bush fly. We suggest that it was the emu that produced faeces nutrient-rich and moist enough to be attractive to this fly but too fibrous to be attractive to dung beetles.
Robin and the Honey Badger, 22 March 2016
Photograph
