Terrestrial slugs are pervasive pests of agriculture throughout temperate regions and have the potential to disrupt the germination of seedlings, cause damage to fruiting bodies of crops, and vector plant pathogens. Tetanocera elata Fabricius (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), a widely distributed Palaearctic species, is an obligate mesoparasitoid and predator of pestiferous slugs including Deroceras reticulatum Müller (Stylommatophora: Agriolimacidae). It has the potential to be developed as a native natural enemy in a conservation biological control programme as an alternative to chemical molluscicides. To better understand the ecological requirements of this species, a detailed observational study was conducted at a site in the west of Ireland possessing naturally occurring T. elata populations. Comparison of local patches where T. elata were recovered revealed no association with plant community composition. Taller dead vegetation was associated with T. elata presence throughout the site. Within the area of greatest T. elata aggregation, there was a significantly greater percentage cover of dead vegetation where T. elata occurred. Abundance of T. elata was also significantly correlated to hedgerow proximity. Results of this study are directly applicable for the design of a conservation biological control programme, which effectively satisfies the principal habitat requirements of T. elata populations.

中文翻译：

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Tetanocera elata（双翅目：Sciomyzidae）的栖息地要求：爱尔兰西部干燥草地的案例研究

陆生蛞蝓是温带地区普遍存在的农业害虫，有可能破坏幼苗的发芽，对作物的子实体造成损害，并成为病媒植物病原体。Tetanocera elata Fabricius（双翅目：Sciomyzidae）是一种广泛分布于古北界的物种，是一种专性的中寄生蜂和包括Deroceras reticulatum Müller（Stylommatophora：Agriolimacidae）在内的害虫蛞蝓的捕食者。在保护性生物控制计划中，它有可能被开发为天然天敌，作为化学杀软体动物剂的替代品。为了更好地了解该物种的生态要求，在爱尔兰西部的一个拥有天然 T. elata 种群的地点进行了详细的观察研究。局部补丁的比较，其中 T. elata 被发现与植物群落组成没有关联。较高的枯死植被与整个场地的 T. elata 存在有关。在最大的 T. elata 聚集区域内，发生 T. elata 的死亡植被的覆盖百分比明显更高。T. elata 的丰富度也与树篱接近度显着相关。本研究结果直接适用于保护生物控制计划的设计，该计划有效地满足了 T. elata 种群的主要栖息地要求。elata 发生。T. elata 的丰富度也与树篱接近度显着相关。本研究结果直接适用于保护生物控制计划的设计，该计划有效地满足了 T. elata 种群的主要栖息地要求。elata 发生。T. elata 的丰富度也与树篱接近度显着相关。本研究结果直接适用于保护生物控制计划的设计，该计划有效地满足了 T. elata 种群的主要栖息地要求。