Studies on the Influence of the Environment on the Sheep Blow-FlyLucilia sericataMeig.

Abstract

The comparative resistance to high temperature and various humidities of four species of blow-flies, Calliphora erythrocephala Meig., Lucilia sericata Meig., Sarcophaga falculata Pand. and Phormia groenlandica Zett. is studied. It is shown that Phormia groenlandica is the most resistant species and Calliphora erythrocephala the least resistant species, with Lucilia sericata and Sarcophaga falculata occypying an intermediate position.This order of resistance is correlated negatively with the order of the seasonal succession of the species.It is suggested that certain differences in the length of life of males and females subjected to various humidities is brought about by an “ageing” factor.

INDUCTION AND TERMINATION OF PUPAL DIAPAUSE INSARCOPHAGA(DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE)

“…Experimentally, pupariation can be delayed in Sarcophaga by exposure of the full-grown larvae to moisture (Evans, 1935;Ohtaki, Milkman and Williams, 1968;Zdarek and Fraenkel, 1970) (Srivastava and Gilbert, 1969). Perhaps these results may be interpreted as a diapause-like event.…”