Efficient disposal methods are needed to manage manure produced by industrial animal production. Saprophagous fly larvae could potentially convert manure into fertilizer and produce protein; however, the process is not well studied. Musca domestica, Hydrotaea aenescens, and Coproica hirtula were investigated to determine the most suitable species and conditions that facilitate efficient poultry manure conversion. The objectives were to (1) develop laboratory protocols and timelines for fly production; (2) identify environmental conditions that affect conversion; and (3) determine the ideal manure moisture content, depth, and fly egg-to-manure ratio for manure conversion and protein production. Mass-production was possible for every species and timelines were established for all species except C. hirtula. The most promising species for use in a conversion system was M. domestica and the presence of C. hirtula facilitated complete conversion. When using these species simultaneously the ideal initial conditions were: 77.5% moisture, 2.9cm deep and 0.82g eggs/kg manure. / OMAFRA/ University of Guelph partnership

Study object. The research was made in two forest stands: one was affected by fire and another without fire damage. A sample plot was in a pine stand damaged by fire a year ago, which is is in Kaunas forest enterprise, in Kulautuva forest department. The stand is in square No. 169 and the plots numbers are 14 and 15. The damaged area takes 0,4 hectare. It is 100% pine stand with a site index Nbl. Study aim. To investigate the low fire influence on pine stand litter entomocomplex fluctuation: on their number and seasonal dynamic, on their distrubution by trophical groups, on species abundance and variety in a fire damaged stands. Methods. The research was made in 2004 since april till october. The Barberis ground trap was used in a research. The trap is made from a 150 ml volume and 6,5 cm diameter plastic cruet. The traps were digged into ground to the top of the trap. 1/3 of the trap was filled with a 10% formalin soak. In that case the insects were saved of decomposing and birds. The traps were placed in three zones: in burned area, chequerwise in the place between damaged and undamaged area, and in undamaged area. There were 6 satelites in each area holding 4 traps in each. All together it was 72 traps placed. The distance between the areas was 20 m and the distance between satelites – 10 m. The collected insects were dried and recognized in the labs of Lithuanian University of Agriculture and Forest Research Institute. Results. The total amount of collected insects in 6... [to full text]

The research object. The research was made in the territory of Neris regional park (Kaisiadoriu forest enterprise, Vievis forest district) in order to evaluate the impact of recreational activities on the forest litter arthropods. The aim of the study – to evaluate different recreational digression stage impact on pinery litter arthropods: their amount and seasonal dynamics, distribution trophic groups, the abundance and variety of species in stands affected by recreation. Methods. Arthropods were collected in Barber ground traps from April through October 2005, which are plastic, 150 ml. volume, with 6.5 cm diameter receptacle. They were dug in the ground and 1/3 of trap was filled with 10 % formalin liquor, which protected insects from decaying and insectivorous birds. Ground traps in each sample plot were spread in groups by 4 (square), the distance between them was 2 m. The distance between sample plots was 20-50 meters. The results. 157 species were identified in trap catches: 96 in the control plot, 97 in the plot with low recreational damage and 110 in the plot wit high recreational damage. Entomophagous predominated and made 60-73 %, kaprophagous 8-25%, saprophagous 10% of catch. 2 extremely rare species and 7 rare species in Lithuania were found, the biggest number of rare species was found in the plot with high recreational damage. Shannon diversity index H’ was 2.5-3.31, evenness E – 0.55-0.66, Berger-Parker dominance d – 0.170-0.367. Sorensen similarity index Cs... [to full text]