Notes on Certain Points of Economic Importance in The Biology of the House Fly1

Modelling the Temperature Sensitivity of Some Physiological Parameters of Epidemiologic Significance

“…We then fitted a continuous function for these data which relates the interval between blood meals and temperature. Mayne (1926) found that, for Anopheles quadrimaculatus , the eggs are laid at 12.8-16.7 Њ C, but not at 4.4-12.2 Њ C. Bishop et al (1915) found that, for the house fly, the length of the pre-oviposition period may vary from four days at 30.6 Њ C to 20 days at 20 Њ C, a fivefold increase. For Anopheles quadrimaculatus , for instance, HBI is estimated to be around 40 Њ C in some regions (Carpenter & LaCarre 1955).…”

“…Second, the mechanism by which the mature eggs are deposited may also be directly influenced. Mayne (1926) found that, for Anopheles quadrimaculatus , the eggs are laid at 12.8-16.7 Њ C, but not at 4.4-12.2 Њ C. Bishop et al (1915) found that, for the house fly, the length of the pre-oviposition period may vary from four days at 30.6 Њ C to 20 days at 20 Њ C, a fivefold increase. Schubert (1928) also found a fivefold increase in fertility rates of Priesma quadratum with the increase of 10 degrees in temperature.…”

Some Notes Concerning Over wintering of the House-fly, Musca Domestica, at Dallas, Texas1

“…Under the direction of Dr. W. D. Hunter, and at the suggestion of Dr. L. O. Howard, some biological points of economic importance were made a subject of study at Dallas and Uvalde, Texas. We have recorded two instances in which we succeeded in carrying the immature stages of the species over the winter in infested manure (1). Due to the fact that E1nlJ1tSa 1n1LSCCCwas unusually abundant and probably killed most of our adults, we did not attempt to ascertain the winter longevity.…”

Tests on the preoviposition period of the house fly, Musca domestica l

“…For example, humidity is no doubt an important factor, but the lack of complete and accurate records of the relative humidity prevents making any statistical analysis of its influence on the length of the preoviposition period. Preoi//pos/fton Per/be//n e/ays It is interesting to note that Bishopp, Dove, and Parman (1915), in experiments at Dallas, Tex., obtained a 4-day record at an average mean temperature of 87.5°F., while the 4-day records at Arlington, Va., averaged 79.5°F. This and other differences between their results and those recorded in the present paper may in large part be due to the differences in the relative humidity of the two localities.…”