Larval predation on different instars in blowfly populations

Abstract

During its larval stage, Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a facultative predator on other blowflies. In this study, we evaluated the predation by third instar larvae of C. albiceps on first, second and third instar larvae of Chrysomya megacephala and Cochliomyia macellaria in no-choice experiments in order to compare the vulnerability of larval instars to predation. With first and second instar prey the highest predation rate by C. albiceps was on C. megacephala. For third instar prey, the highest predation rate was on C. macellaria. With second instar prey, there was complete predation on C. megacephala within 90 min, whereas in C. macellaria only 55% of the larvae were eaten by 90 min. For third instar prey most predation on C. macellaria (80%) occurred within 90 min, whereas in C. megacephala only 35% of the larvae were eaten by 90 min. Chrysomya albiceps changes the predatory behavior on its preys depending on which instar and species it will consume.<br>Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) é uma predadora facultativa sobre outras moscas-varejeiras, durante o terceiro instar larval. Nesse estudo, nos investigamos a taxa de predação de C. albiceps sobre larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro instar de C. megacephala e C. macellaria comparando a vulnerabilidade dos instares larvais frente à predadora. Para as presas de primeiro e segundo instar, C. albiceps apresentou maior taxa de predação sobre C. megacephala. Já sobre larvas de terceiro instar a predadora consumiu mais C. macellaria. O comportamento de C. albiceps sobre as duas espécies de presas sugere uma mudança na estratégia de forrageio da predadora e essa mudança pode ter influencia sobre a comunidade de dípteros necrófagos

Necrophagous diptera associated with wild animal carcasses in southern Brazil

“…The coexistence of both species did not occur, probably because L. eximia presents generalist behavior in the exploitation of organic matter in decomposition. On the other hand, C. albiceps demonstrates facultative predation behavior over other Diptera larvae that are not specialized in resource exploitation, such as L. eximia, causing competitive exclusion (Faria et al 2004).…”

Rate of development of forensically-important Dipterain southern Brazil

“…Chrysomya albiceps is highly predatory and this may account for the change of location and reduction of populations of necrophagous native species (Faria et al 1999;Faria & Godoy 2001;Andrade et al 2002;Faria et al 2004).…”

Post-embriononic development of Chrysomya putoria(Diptera: Calliphoridae) on a diet containing ampicillin in different concentrations

“…It is possible that the antibiotic changed some organoleptic characteristics of their diet. It has been shown that the behaviour of C. albiceps (Diptera: Caliphoridae) larvae is altered by palatability and by pheromones (Faria et al 2004). The presence of drugs in tissues can affect larval development of scavenger fl ies that feed on these substrates.…”